Suzanne Ankrum, Ariel Bock & More to Lead WAM's All-Female MEASURE FOR MREASURE Reading, 5/18

WAM Theatre has announced the cast for a staged reading of Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare. This story of a woman's struggle to preserve her identity in the face of hypocrisy and exploitation will be given a unique telling with an all-female company of actors and a streamlined adaptation. WAM Theatre will present the reading on Sunday, May 18 at 3:00 p.m. at No. Six Depot Roastery and Café, 6 Depot Street in West Stockbridge, MA. Measure for Measure is the second presentation in WAM's new Fresh Takes Play Reading series, which offers new and reimagined works that tell women's stories.

The cast of Measure for Measure includes Suzanne Ankrum (WAM's Emilie), Ariel Bock (Ensemble for the Romantic Century's None but the Lonely Heart), Barby Cardillo (WAM Theatre's The Attic, the Pearls, & Three Fine Girls), Dana Harrison (Shakespeare & Company's Private Lives), Tod Randolph (Shakespeare & Company's Cassandra Speaks), and Kristen van Ginhoven (WAM Theatre Artistic Director). The reading will also feature Jacinthe G. Connor, Emma Dweck, Catherine Santino, and Josephine M. Wilson.

Jenna Ware of Shakespeare & Company (It's a Wonderful Life) will direct the reading. "I'm really pleased to be directing for WAM Theatre, especially since it's a Shakespeare piece," says Ware. "Because the relationship between the actor and audience is so strong in Shakespeare's work, I'm particularly excited that the reading includes a post-play discussion. I look forward to hearing the audience members' responses to the play and their reactions the story being told by an all-female ensemble."

One of Shakespeare's "problem plays," Measure for Measure is an at times uncomfortable blend of humor and gravitas. With his city in turmoil, the Duke of Vienna hands his power over to his deputy Angelo, who seeks to restore law and order. But when an aspiring nun, Isabella, comes to plead for the life of her condemned brother, Angelo gives in to his own unholy desires and exposes the political and moral corruption that pollutes the entire city.

There are only 25 tickets available for this reading. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling 1-800-838-3006 or going online to http://wamfreshtakes.bpt.me. Due to the limited availability, advance booking is highly recommended. Food and drink will be available for purchase at the café prior to the reading, which will begin in the gallery at 3:00 p.m.

The Fresh Takes Play Reading series is curated by WAM Theatre Artistic Associate Kelly Galvin and consists of: Blue Stockings by Jessica Swale (April 13, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.), Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare (May 18, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.), How the World Began by Catherine Trieschmann (June 22, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.), Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England by Madeleine George (August 17, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.), and Waxworks by Trina Davies (September 21, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.). Find out more about the series at http://www.wamtheatre.com/fresh-takes/.