Witty show takes Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure and shakes things up with colorful cast of characters and toe tappin’ score performed by live band
OREGON CITY, Ore. — June 9, 2022 — Clackamas Repertory Theatre’s 18th season opens with the wildly entertaining musical comedy Desperate Measures, June 30 – July 24 at Osterman Theatre on the campus of Clackamas Community College in Oregon City. Performances take place Thursday – Saturday at 7:30pm, with 2:30pm Sunday matinees. Tickets may be purchased at www.clackamasrep.org or by calling (503) 594-6047.
Desperate Measures won Drama Desk Awards for Best Music and Best Lyrics and Outer Critics Circle and Off-Broadway Alliance Awards for Best Musical from its 2017 run at the York Theatre in New York. The book and lyrics are by Peter Kellogg and the music is by David Friedman.
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, this madcap musical tells the tale of Johnny Blood, a handsome young man whose life is in danger following a saloon brawl. Johnny must put his fate into the hands of a colorful cast of characters, including a wily sheriff, eccentric priest, authoritarian governor, saloon girl gone good, and nun out of the habit as they all struggle to decide Johnny’s fate. Laws are broken and hearts are won as they try to find justice in a world that often doesn’t seem just. Before the sun sets, will they rise up and pull off the greatest caper yet, or will Johnny be left hanging?
Clackamas Rep’s production features Dave Cole as Johnny Blood; Alan King as Father Morse; Todd Hermanson as Sheriff Martin Green; Sarah DeGrave as Susanna AKA Sister Mary Jo; Mark Pierce as Governor von Richterhenkenpflichtgetruber; and Lauren Allison as Bella Rose.
Directed by Clackamas Rep Artistic Director David Smith-English, the show features a four-piece band performing live on stage.
The production team includes Set and Lighting Designer Chris Whitten, Choreographer Wesley Hanson, Costume Designer Sydney Dufka, and Properties Designer Haley Hurita.
There will be a low-cost preview performance June 30; opening night is July 1.
To enhance the audience experience, Clackamas Rep will provide lectures by award-winning playwright Sue Mach prior to the July 3, 10, and 17 performances. Mach will discuss similarities between Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure and the Desperate Measures play.
Audience members will be required to wear masks and provide proof of vaccination to attend performances of Desperate Measures and The Sound of Music. Clackamas Rep’s COVID 19 policy is subject to change and can be viewed online.
About Clackamas Repertory Theatre:
Clackamas Repertory Theatre (www.clackamasrep.org) is a professional Equity theatre company in Oregon City, Ore. Founded in 2004, Clackamas Rep offers high-quality, financially accessible productions for the citizens of Clackamas County and beyond and prepares current and former Clackamas Community College students for a career in theatre through summer positions.
For More Information:
Jayne Stevens, Assistant Managing Director
Clackamas Repertory Theatre
(503) 594-3914
jayne@clackamasrep.org