"Measure for Measure"
Issues of morality, justice and mercy took center stage during Concordia University, Nebraska’s production of Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure.”
The play is a dark comedy that follows the Duke of Vienna and his attempts to more strictly enforce the moral laws of the land through his deputy Lord Angelo. Lord Angelo’s extreme standards lead to harsh penalties for Claudio and cries for mercy from Isabella mixed up with disguised characters and double crosses. In the end, everyone’s morality is tested, and the Duke must learn how to balance justice and mercy in Vienna.
“The title of the play is taken from the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible, and the play uses humor in serious situations to investigate human behavior,” said Mira Wiegmann, director of theatre arts at Concordia and director of the play. “Shakespeare’s New Testament perspective seems particularly appropriate with the complex issues of public morality that continue to be current in culture today.”
The cast includes both experienced and new performers. Senior Timmothy Heath, performing the Duke of Vienna, and junior Adam Hengeveld, playing Claudio, have performed major roles in other Concordia productions while freshman Kevin Ray, as Lord Angelo, is joining the cast as a first-timer.
“I have only done Shakespeare one other time, and this was a great opportunity to do so again,” said Heath. “The toughest part is translating the English into English, without changing a word. The text is rich with humor, truisms and insightful statements, so we have to express the depth of the script through our voices and actions, while keeping true to the original wording. It is a challenge to interpret, but well worth the effort.”
Cast
Pompey – Rick Backhus, Senior, Westminster, Colo.
Escalus – Nathaniel Bellin, Freshman, Racine, Wis.
Lady of the Court – Emily Coppersmith, Sophomore, St. Louis, Mo.
Angelo’s Servant/messenger – Chris Covert, Freshman, Utica, Neb.
Sr. Francisca – Angela Fick, Freshman, Ogden, Iowa
Fr. Thomas – Derek Gaschler, Sophomore, Imperial, Neb.
Elbow – Joshua Grote, Sophomore, Shawnee Mission, Kan.
Duke Vicentio – Timmothy Heath, Senior, Holton, Kan.
Claudio – Adam Hengeveld, Senior, Hartley, Iowa
Lady of the Court – Lindsey Himmelburg, Sophomore, Friend, Neb.
Mariana – Nikki King, Sophomore, Algona, Iowa
Abhorson/Warden’s Officer – Jon Laufer, Sophomore, Renault, Ill.
Mistress Overdone – Melanie Maxson, Sophomore, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Warden – Nathan Neugebauer, Sophomore, Gering, Neb.
Isabella – Ashley Panwitz, Junior, Douglass, Wyo.
Angelo – Kevin Ray, Freshman, Little Rock, Ark.
Justice/Warden’s Officer – Andy Schlund, Sophomore, Ravenna, Neb.
Lucio – Andrew Schultz, Junior, Houston, Texas
Gentleman 1 – Jason Swan, Senior, Lakewood, Colo.
Gentleman 2 /Froth – Jacob Wagner, Freshman, Paullina, Iowa
Juliet – Katie Wollman, Sophomore, Kingsville, Md.
Barnardine – Josh Youngberg, Sophomore, Shawnee Mission, Kan.
Crew
Sarah Andrews, House Manager, Senior, Saint Louis, Mo.
Heidi Graham, Costume Crew, Senior, Littleton, Colo.
Sara Holle, Costume Crew, Freshman, Marysville, Kan.
Justin Koopman, Lighting Design/Set Crew, Junior, Kearney, Neb.
Jon Laufer, Set Crew, Sophomore, Renault, Ill.
Bethany Maddick, Assistant Director/Stage Manager, Junior, State Center, Iowa
Sarah McClellan, Costume Crew, Sophomore, Nottingham, N.H.
Alexandra Morris, Set Crew, Senior, Pleasanton, Neb.
Laura Pedersen, Costume Crew, Freshman, Flower Mound, Texas
Margaret Ruehle, Set Crew, Junior, Beacon, N.Y.
Rachel Schroeder, Set Crew, Junior, Okarche, Okla.
Kelsey Wagner, Costume Crew, Sophomore, Saint Charles, Mo.
Matt Wait, Set Crew, Junior, Brownsburg, Ind.
Elizabeth Weidner, Set Crew, Freshman, Aurora, Colo.
Luke Weidner, Set Crew, Senior, Aurora, Colo.
Joshua Youngberg, Set Crew, Sophomore, Shawnee Mission, Kan.