Measure for Measure (TFANA)

See it if you like modern WS. The verse is mostly well-spoken. Ricketts stands out; every word/gesture seems real. I liked the emphasis on comedy.

Don't see it if This MFM is highly imaginative, sometimes too much so. Sex toys abound; a convict poops, all is presented on a huge "table" w/bad sightlines

Also I liked MFM as a "dark comedy" and not just as a problem play. The comedy didn't undermine the emotion; in fact, the final scene was more moving than usual. Still, there was no need for the crassness of the brothel. Some directorial touches (confetti, flags) worked well.... Read more Read less

See it if you like great staging of Shakespeare's plays. This company is great at staging and Polonsky theater is ideal for Shakespeare.

Don't see it if you don't like Shakespeare or play Measure for Measure. I think the dialogue for this play is Shakespeare's worst.

Also The story for Measure for Measure is good, the characters very interesting but the dialogue is very difficult to understand. This is Shakespeare's fault not this company's production. I am not really convinced of this company's interpretation of ending of this play,... Read more Read less

See it if you like a modern interpretation of Shakespeare's comedy. This is a story of the abuse of political power that is as relevant today as then.

Don't see it if you are a traditionalist. you do not like explicit sexual acts, abuse, and perversion of all sexes. you hold government in high esteem.

Also Jonathan Cake leads a brilliant cast in a wonderful look into the "real" story of the bawdiness of Vienna, as interpreted by Shakespeare. There is also a pre-show entry into the seating area that is both amazing and shocking!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a bold and risk-taking adaptation with strong acting, particularly by Ricketts. The comedic parts were truly funny.

Don't see it if The first act dragged so much; I noticed many audience members yawning and even sleeping. Second act was much more energized.

See it if enjoy well done translations/interpretations of Shakespeare. Story is fair but actors put it over

Don't see it if you are a Shakespeare purist

See it if If you like to see out of the box productions of the Bard. Totally refreshing and tons of fun. Loved the band and the immersive touches!

Don't see it if If you want to see a classic production of this play.

See it if You enjoy modern takes on Shakespeare with clever directing choices.

Don't see it if You want a balanced cast (found the Duke to be an unclear actor)

See it if You like your Shakespeare a bit overripe. This is aimed about 85% at the groundlings among us, right from the stroll through the bordello.

Don't see it if You have more interest in the interplay of corruption, crime, punishment, virtue, impropriety, weakness and justice.

See it if you like bold takes on the Bard by engaging, all-in cast & have bandwidth to take in dense text and time (3 hours if you take in "pre-show")

Don't see it if you're not ready for steady barrage of text, wild-at-time theatrics, charming interactive elements, intimate staging, or energetic cast.

See it if you want to see a superbly trained group of actors deliver Shakespeare's text with clarity and the requisite skill, not upset by updating.

Don't see it if you don't like updating even when it's limited and all makes sense.

See it if it's a really good cast in a really mediocre play; it's not called a "Problem" play for nothing--and Act 1 drags

Don't see it if Want a comedy that's funny, or a true Shakespearean tragedy--the show just doesn't know what it wants to be

See it if you already know the play and are willing to put up with a badly cast and directed production to see a strongly performed Isabella.

Don't see it if you have a chance or a hope to see a well-conceived and adequately cast production of a fascinating play.

Also Many of the actors and most of the directorial conceits would not pass muster in a Fringe festival. The attempts are immersiveness are clunky and desperate... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a well-acted, nicely staged, very creative presentation of a fairly bad play. All leads outstanding.

Don't see it if you expect high-end traditional Shakespeare, don't appreciate bawdy humor, know/hate this awkward play

Also As you enter, you may come in through the "brothel" or via the main entrance; the brothel is about as silly as you might expect, but could be embarrassing (don't walk through with your mom). BTW a band plays in the intermission and a few audience members get to sit onstage. If you're on an aisle, go up and ask. The talented Zach Fine (aka the waiter) will seat you if there's room.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a novel interpretation of a play with notably slippery changes of tone. Nice musical interpolations and live musicians.

Don't see it if you don't like modern versions of Shakespeare

See it if You like original productions with great staging, acting and directing

Don't see it if You're not a theater lover

See it if A great use of space and a great effort to bring new life into this dated work.

Don't see it if There seems to be no redeeming this play. The acting was not on par with the rest of TFANA's great season.

See it if you enjoy a fresh and surprising interpretation of a "problem" Shakespeare play. Godwin is a brilliant director and his actors are superb.

Don't see it if You are offended by modern interpretations of Shakespeare.

See it if You like unusual staging of a classic and like to see how the director calls out certain similarities between the old text & current times

Don't see it if You have seen Measure for Measure before and didn't like it. Or are a Shakespeare purist.

Also I never saw Measure for Measure live and the actors and staging of this play did a great job with the text as it is written. However, with the build up of the walk through pre-show and the very different set, I was expecting a little more or something different done with the text. It felt like there was build up, but for what purpose?... Read more Read less

See it if you are a Shakespeare lover, want to see a production of this particular play

Don't see it if 2hrs and 45 min is too long for you, you want to see a less sexist Shakespeare play

Also Every pull quote for this production references the staging. "Innovative staging," "exciting staging." Well, I don't know about that. The staging was nothing exciting or innovative. Fine acting. A few pacing issues. Also, the volume of the intermission concert was far too high with the acoustics of the Polonsky. And while I liked the way they tied the concert into act two, it felt clunky. That combined with the brothel pre-show (over hyped and incredibly tame, there was little to no purpose for it) and the flag fanfare near the end of the show made me wonder what my role as audience member was. Was I supposed to be involved? Was I merely a specator to the drama? It's as if the director couldn't make up his mind about whether or not he wanted it to be immersive. And it's never fun when things are even unintentionally halfassed.... Read more Read less

See it if You see this problematic play as living theater.

Don't see it if You prefer your Shakespeare as a museum piece.

Also Loud, bawdy, romantic, political (is it an accident that the two leading men possess passing resemblance to two current world leaders?), dark and musical. Quite a lot to hold together and this production does it beautifully.... Read more Read less

See it if You wanna see amazing actors bring a troublesome text to vivid life.

Don't see it if I'm biased. It's my favorite play. The acting and directing were phenomenal. New Deal tickets for twenty dollars!

See it if you love this play, and see it every chance you get. It is a great opportunity to see Cara Ricketts, who is making her NY debut at TFNA.

Don't see it if you don't like the play. This is a production which stresses the comedy of Measure. The set and staging put the actors at a disadvantage.

See it if You love Shakespeare but insist the alternative settings make dramatic sense, are curious about how Shakespeare can be relevant today

Don't see it if You only like strict period interpretations of Shakespeare, or just hate Shakespeare

See it if You want to see """""""Measure for Measure""""""" (and also great acting)

Don't see it if You want to see "Measure for Measure"

Also So this production basically ignores the text's actual meaning and instead adds on its own interpretation, so if you're looking for an honest Measure for Measure, this isn't it. It is, however, a remarkable version of the play, specifically in that it manages to make Shakespeare's bacchic horror show into a sweet romance story, which is mightily impressive. Great acting, too.... Read more Read less

See it if U THINK ANYTHING TFANA DOES IS WORTH SEEING. I DO. IF YOU WANT 2 C THIS PROBLEM PLAY DIRECTED SO IT PRODUCES MORE PROBLEMS

Don't see it if U DO NOT LIKE EXTRANEOUS AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION, MIRANDA AS A LOUNGE SINGER, & NOT THE USUAL ENDING.

Also GO! DEFINITELY AVOID THE 1/2 HOUR EARLY CALL 2 CLIMB STAIRS & RAMBLE THRU NARROW HALLS 2 C SEE A MYRIAD OF DILDOS. BE AWARE, A SHOW GOES ON DURING THE INTERMISSION, IN MY OPINION IT HAD LITTLE TO DO WITH THE PLAY, BUT MY DECISION IS BASED ON TAKING A BATHROOM BREAK, I DID NOT C IT IN ITS ENTIRETY.... Read more Read less