‘Measure’ up to Shakespeare’s Standard

The plot of Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” isn’t new and wasn’t in the author’s day. A ruler, wanting to find out how his people are getting along, goes among them in disguise, leaving affairs of state to an underling. The power-mad underling makes a mess of things until the ruler’s timely return.

What keeps the play’s melodramatics and simplistic contrivances fresh is the Bard’s wit, his deep sense of irony and a touch of satire.

Set in contemporary Vienna in director Dean Hess’ production at Cal State Fullerton, the story might be out of today’s melodramatic headlines.

When the Duke of Vienna departs, he turns things over to Angelo, whose first major action is to sentence a young man named Claudio to death for impregnating a young woman. Angelo’s hypocrisy is his eventual undoing: He tells Claudio’s sister, a novitiate at a convent, that he will spare Claudio’s life if she meets him for hanky-panky.

Surrounding this sitcom story are the rich characters typical of Shakespeare’s plays, from the rustics (here not too far from wigged-out rockers) to a bordello madam (a mannish Germanic giant) and several loony peripheral types.

Hess’ concept works well, except for odd details. You wouldn’t see a monk in sackcloth wandering today’s Italy, and the court’s “secret service” types are definitely from Washington, not Vienna.

Still, the updating brings the story into sharp focus, and the playwright’s social comments are, as always, timeless.

In fact, the only problem, and not an uncommon one in American productions of Shakespeare, is the inability of some cast members to connect with the Bard’s language.

This is most noticeable here in the important role of the Duke. Ty T. Turner gives a lucid and ingratiating picture of the honest and caring Duke, but in many of his scenes there is too little subtext. His lines are spoken with proper meaning but not much depth.

The other side of the coin shines in Stephen R. Ohab Jr.’s lustful and nasty Angelo, a colorful and detailed portrait in which each word is rich in meaning and, particularly in his more volatile scenes, interesting shadings.

Shannon Mahoney’s Isabella, the novitiate who is much cleverer than her seducer, has an honesty and truthfulness that is rewarding and effective.

Jason Buuck is strong as her unfortunate brother, the brash and unthinking Claudio, as is Julie Remala as Mistress Overdone, a performance not at all overdone, like something out of a Lina Wertmuller film.

As Nicola, associate to the Duke and to Angelo, Sarah Imes gives a good account of a bureaucratic juggler. Justin Walvoord is outstanding as Lucio, just enough this side of outlandish to work beautifully and bring life to the stage with his every entrance. Too far the other side of outlandish is Kevin Doyel’s Elbow, who is funny but would be funnier, and truer, toned down by half.

* “Measured for Measure,” Arena Theatre, Cal State Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd., at Nutwood Avenue, Fullerton. 8 p.m. today-Friday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday. $6-$8. Ends Sunday. (714) 278-3371. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Ty T. Turner: Duke of Vienna

Stephen R. Ohab Jr.: Angelo

Sarah Imes: Nicola

Justin Walvoord: Lucio

Julie Remala: Mistress Overdone

Jason Buuck: Claudio

Shannon Mahoney: Isabella

Kevin Doyel: Elbow

A Cal State Fullerton Department of Theatre and Dance production of Shakespeare’s drama. Directed by Dean Hess. Scenic design: Matthew Scarpino. Lighting design: Joe Holbrook. Sound design: Patrick P.J. Johnson. Costume/makeup design: Nicola Engel. Voice/speech coach: Joan Melton. Stage manager: Bonnie Allen.