'Measure For Measure' by UConn BFA Acting Class of 2023

STORRS, CT - The UConn Dramatic Arts Department is presenting a virtual production of William Shakespeare MEASURE FOR MEASURE for one weekend only. Opening night was on Friday, after a preview on Thursday; following the opening night performance that I viewed was a cheery toast to/by the cast by the virtual attendees. Remaining performances will be on Saturday, March 27th at 2:00pm EST, Saturday, March 27th at 7:30pm, with a closing on Sunday, March 28th at 2:00pm.

This production of Shakespeare’s classic features the UConn BFA Acting Class of 2023 and includes Ammon Downer, Zoe Eklund, Audrey Latino, Robert Liniak, Elizabeth McManus, and Aleksei Sandals. The piece was directed by Kristin Wold (THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME by CRT:) she is the Head of the BFA Acting Program at UConn. Stage Management is by Alisa Rabin, a junior at UConn and a candidate for a BFA in Design and Technical Theatre with a concentration in stage management as well as a BA in Psychology.

Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure,
Like doth quit like, and measure still for measure. - Duke, Act 5 Scene 1

I once again pulled out my trusty The Complete Signet Classic Shakespeare textbook to follow along for part of the opening night performance. This play was filled with marginal notes that I had made back in college, indicating that I should have remembered more about the plot than I actually did. I discovered that portions of the original text had been cut to allow for a more comfortable running time without disturbing the flow of the performance.

All of the students did very well with the various characters that they had been assigned by their director and admirably memorized the challenging text. Some contemporary costumes added to the visuals of the Zoom boxes and for the most part, the promised “low tech” Zoom production worked seamlessly. If the transitions were very basic, both the audio and video were easy on the ears and eyes.There were no virtual backgrounds or scene changes, but I loved the addition of on-screen dancing at both the beginning and end of the performance.

Ammon Downer, a sophomore acting student at UConn, commandingly plays the Duke of Vienna, and then switches gears completely to perform the role of Mistress Overdone, a bawd. Zoe Eklund, a UConn junior and second year BFA Acting Student who discovered her love of theatre at the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven, easily switches between three characters, Escala the judge, Provost, Mariana, and Francisca, a nun.

Robert Liniak, a sophomore BFA Acting major at the university, makes the most of the role of a constable named Elbow, as well as Angelo, the deputy to the Duke. When not performing, this young actor is an instructor for the nonprofit Sports Plus, where works with individuals with autism. Audrey Latino, a sophomore acting student at UConn, is Mrs. Elbow, and really shines as Isabella, a novice in the Order of St. Clare.

Aleksei Sandals, a sophomore in the BFA Acting class at UConn, plays the role of Claudio, the brother of Isabella, Friar Peter and Pompey, the clown of Mistress Overdone. The role of the clown gave this young actor a chance to show off his passion for physical comedy and slapstick. Elizabeth McManus, who is a second year BFA Acting major at the university, takes on the roles of Abhorson the executioner, Juliet, the betrothed of Claudio, Claudio’s friend Lucio, and Froth, a customer of Pompey. Ms. Eklund and Mr. Liniak also appear as Two Gentlemen, associates of Lucio.

There is still time to enjoy this fine production that is presented with one ten-minute intermission. No RSVP is necessary to attend and they look forward to having you join them. Zoom link for all performances is available here. Meeting ID: 971 6075 2811 Passcode: BFA2023

Some Helpful Zoom Hints:
-Please arrive at least 5 minutes before the performance start time. You will be in a Waiting Room until 5 minutes before the show starts.
-Have your video OFF and microphone MUTED.
-Set your screen to "Hide non-video participants". To do this, go to the up arrow that is next to ‘Start Video’ on your screen. Select ‘Video Settings.’ Then make sure that the ‘Hide non-video participants’ button has a check mark.

The playbill can be viewed here.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions in a more typical theatre year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.