Corruption, Dissent, Public and Private Morality - Come Visit Vienna of Early 1960's With Island Shakespeare Immersive Presentation Of Measure For Measure At Good Shepherd Chapel Starting January 19

Image From Island Shakespeare

Last summer, Roosevelt Island's local resident theater company Island Shakespeare took us on a trip to Garibaldi's Italy of 1860 with their wonderful outdoor production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing at the Eastwood Amphitheater. Director Thomas Kee explained the setting.



Starting this coming January 19, Island Shakespeare will again whisk us off to another time and place, this time Vienna in the 1960's, with their immersive presentation of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure at Roosevelt Island's historic Good Shepherd Chapel.

Island Shakespeare describes the performance as:

YOUR PERSONAL JOURNEY WITH SHAKESPEARE

Island Shakespeare presents an immersion exploration of "Measure for Measure" by William Shakespeare.

Vienna in the early 60's is the "IT" city of Europe, the intersection of elegant classicism and blossoming counter culture. You're a stranger, an outsider, and you are about to witness the facade crumble. Whether you follow the music, follow the story or simply explore the beautiful 19th century stone chapel, everywhere you encounter Shakespeare's tale of corruption and comic dissent.

Kristi Artinian directs a veteran cast of company members and new aspirants to Island Shakespeare's unique brand of story driven environmental theatre. Audiences familiar with their previous production of "Much Ado" will recognize their signature approach of delivering a crystal clear, utterly accessible version of the play while immersing the audience in a thoroughly  dimensional world that transports them the minute they enter the space.

"The quartet leads you into this beautiful sanctuary (the historic Chapel of the Good Shepherd on Roosevelt Island) but if you wander off you'll find yourself in a jail cell, or an illegal bar or brothel. It's full of counterpoints." says Kristi Artinian, artistic director of Island Shakespeare and graduate of RADA. The acting company features performances by Brian Keith MacDonald (The Merchant of Venice with Al Pacino) as Angelo, Carl Danielsen (Stratford Festival) as the Duke and Patrick Toon (NJ Shakes) as Barnadine.

"Measure for Measure" performs Saturdays and Sundays at 8pm beginning January 19 and closing February 10 at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd an unmissable historic site in the middle of Roosevelt Island. Just one stop out on the F train from 63d & Lex. Or take the Tram like Spiderman. Directions available

Only a limited number of people are admitted to each performance. Booking is recommended online or (866) 811-4111

These actors are appearing courtesy of Actor's Equity Association.

Equity approved showcase.

Ticket information is here and scenes from Island Shakespeare's summer performance of Much Ado About Nothing here.

Chicago's Goodman Theatre Artistic Director and director Robert Falls talks about why he thinks MEASURE FOR MEASURE is one of Shakespeare's greatest plays.



I am very much looking forward to seeing Island Shakespeare's version of Measure for Measure at the Good Shepherd Chapel here on Roosevelt Island.