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Show o 'Measure for Measure' shares biblical theme Ants -LLliiil By Jennie Atagi Signpost staff writer Morality, justice, corruption and good encompass the action in the Weber State University theater department's version of William Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure," which opens Thursday in the Allred Theater of the Val A. Browning Center. "Measure for Measure" is traditionally called one of Shakespeare's problem plays because it does not follow a certain theme. It begins as a tragedy and ends with comic resolution, which has been a challenge for the cast and the director. Scholars think "Measure for Measure" was performed only once during Shakespeare's lifetime. It was written as a court piece and was thought to be written as a celebration of a wedding. "Measure for Measure" was the last comedy that Shakespeare wrote. "We've come to recognize anything Shakespeare has written as great when in fact some are not," said Donna Cheney, English professor. "However, it has been very successful with audiences." The lack of popularity in Shakespeare's time may have been because it was written earlier than many of his other plays. The biblical theme of the play comes from the teachings of Shakespeare's day of the Sermon on the Mount. "Judge not, lest ye be judged." "You see that on all different levels," said Robin Wilks-Dunn, director of the play. Wilks-Dunn said she has really enjoyed the subject matter. "The reason I really like the play is the issue of morality and justice," she said. The play revolves around good and evil, corruption, who is doing what's right and who is good." In the play, morality laws had been on the books for years but nobody had ever enforced them. The duke, played by Kyle Lewis, leaves town and puts his deputy, Angelo, played by Andre' Ward, in charge of enforcing the morality laws. Angelo is a good person, but soon he starts to get carried away with the power. Isabella, played by Amber Dawn Smith, pleads to Angelo for her brother's life. Her brother, played by Justin Ivie, got a woman pregnant and is sentenced to die. It sounds like the beginning of a tragedy, but the Local Band serves up healthy portion of kickin' acoustics Brienholt and Big Parade's style combines classic original sound to produce great tunes By Christina J Hernandez Signpost senior reporter When you take a bit of James Taylor, a pinch of Peter Yarrow, a spoonful of Simon and Garfunkel and stir it in with a cup of original acoustic style you get Peter Breinholt and the Big Parade. The local acoustic group played to a crowded, blanket filled, grassy Galli van Utah Center in downtown Salt Lake City Friday night at 7 p.m. Big Parade opened with a few acoustical songs, featuring two guitars and a bass. Gradually, other band members came on stage until all seven were present, adding drums, cello, violin and keyboards. Most of the music performed was original and encouraged the enthusias- STEVE C0NLIN7HE SIGNPOST Andre' Ward and Amber Dawn Smith let emotions flair at a dress rehersal for Measure for Measure Monday night. The play opens tomorrow night and runs various dates through the end of the month. outcome is quite comic. Henceforth, a problem play for Shakespeare is born. Wilks-Dunn has set the play in a timeless era. However, the costuming and set have a gothic influence. "We've got great sound. We're using some contemporary alternative music," she said. isnnost REVIEW tic crowd to clap to new and familiar tunes. Even though the concert was free, it was surprising to see not only at the number of people that showed up, but also the diversity of fans that Big Parade has. Fans ranging from two to70-years-old and representing a variety of social classes joined in the end of the concert dance-a-long near the stage. "The unique and professional sound of Big Parade is the key to its success. It Wilks-Dunn said the production, with a cast of 30 people, is the largest she has directed at WSU. "I've gotten to work with people that I've never worked with before. This play really has a lot of the strongest performers in the department." "Measure for Measure" will open Thurs The unique and professional sound of Big Parade is the key to its success." --Trisha Brown 99 is whatbrings people from all backgrounds out to support them," said Trisha Brown, a self-proclaimed big fan. Since the group formed in April 1993, they have become the top selling act and one of the highest d raws in the Utah music scene. During the summer of 1993, Breinholt and Big Parade recorded and independently released their debut album "Songs About the Great Divide." The album is available on compact disc day and will run through Saturday with a Saturday matinee. The play will also be performed May 24-27. Tickets are $5 and $8. A free performance for students with a WSU ID card will be held May 23. Entrance is on a first come, first served basis with 332 seats available. and cassette at Salt Lake music stores. It will also be available in music stores throughout the wasatch front in the near future. The band continues to sell out concerts all over Sal t Lake City with audiences ranging from 350 people at Studio One's performance hall to several area high school auditoriums with over 1,000 fans attending. Big Parade also performed at the sixth annual Band jams at Saltair, which resulted in a live concert video, and was featured with an on-air gig, during- a recent locals-only show onradio station X-96. The band is booked through May, including an invitation to perform at the Moab Music Festival over Memorial Day weekend.. |