Quintessence Theatre Debuts With Shakespeare's MEASURE FOR MEASURE 5/5, 5/7

Quintessence Theatre Group presents Shakespeare's MEASURE FOR MEASURE to be directed by Alexander Burns. The production will start previews on Wednesday, May 5 at 8pm and open on Friday, May 7 at 8pm. Performances are Wednesday, May 5 through Sunday, May 30. All performances will be held at the Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia PA 19119. To purchase tickets, visit www.QuintessenceTheatre.org or call 212.868.4444.

Fearing the pendulum has swung too far and the morality of Vienna's citizens too lax, the Duke departs on a foreign embassy and leaves his Deputy General Angelo to re-enforce Vienna's strict civil laws. Following the letter of the law Angelo arrests a young citizen named Claudio for the capital offense of impregnating his girlfriend before marriage. Isabella, a novice nun and sister to Claudio, appeals to Angelo for her brother's life. Confused by the reason and conviction of her argument, Angelo finds himself in love with Isabella. Will Angelo be swayed by Isabella's call for mercy? Or will Angelo fall prey to his baser impulses and use his power to possess the young nun?
Come experience Shakespeare's timeless morality play. Does society need its morality dictated by civil law? Is mercy or justice more important to the health of a nation? Does humanity need the death penalty to keep itself in line? Shakespeare meets Law and Order in this judicious cutting and modern exploration of Measure for Measure.
Quintessence Theatre Group is Philadelphia's newest professional theatre company, dedicated to the adaptation of epic works of drama and classic literature for the Contemporary Stage, igniting the mind through the power of the actor, design and spoken word. Quintessence Theatre exists to develop and produce theatre which is immediate and necessary, and that strives to attract new audiences to the art form by challenging its artists and audiences alike to consider what is essential in theatre and in human nature.

Over the next five years Quintessence Theatre will work to establish an acting ensemble and a rotating repertory season at the historic Sedgwick Theater in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia. As Quintessence Theatre's home, the Sedgwick Theater , a 1928 art deco movie palace designed by William Lee, will regain its place as a jewel in Philadelphia's cultural landscape.

MEASURE FOR MEASURE will feature Damon Bonetti*, Sean Bradley, Kaki Burns, Joy Farmer-Clary*, Doug Greene, Jennifer Hutten, Tanya Lazar, James Stover* and John G Williams.

MEASURE FOR MEASURE plays May 5 - May 30, Wednesdays - Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm.

Tickets are $25, $ 15 for seniors, $10 for students. The performance on Friday, May 14 is a benefit performance. To purchase tickets visit SmartTix at www.SmartTix.com or www.QuintessenceTheatre.org or call 212.868.4444.

Damon Bonetti* (Duke Vincentio) Philadelphia: The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Criminal Hearts (Walnut Street Theatre); Pericles, The Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet, Othello (Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival); Orange Flower Water (Luna Theater, Barrymore Award nomination); Much Ado About Nothing (Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company). Regional: Filumena, The Corn is Green, Inherit the Wind, You Never Can Tell (Asolo Repertory Theatre); Blood: A Comedy, Can't Fight This Feelin' (Passage Theatre). International: Red Bessie (Edinburgh Fringe Festival). Co-Artistic Director of Philadelphia Artists Collective. Training: MFA, Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory.

Joy Farmer-Clary* (Isabella) New York: Lucy in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Lincoln Center Institute). Regional: Blackbird (Cincinnati Playhouse); Sea of Tranquility, Ophelia in Hamlet, Two Gentlemen of Verona (The Old Globe); Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (Austin Shakespeare Festival, Best Actress Award - Austin Circle of Theatres; Best Actress nomination - Austin Critics Table); Star-Spangled Girl, Cabaret (Bigfork Summer Playhouse). Training: BFA, University of Mississippi; MFA, The Old Globe/University of San Diego.

James Stover* (Angelo) Philadelphia: world premiere of The Eclectic Society, A Christmas Carol (Walnut Street Theatre); world premiere of The Invisible Play (Philadelphia Theatre Workshop). New York: Yank! (Gallery Players); Tea and Sympathy (off-Broadway revival, Keen Company); ‘Twas the Night Before (Flea Theatre). National Tour: My Soul is a Witness (JENA Co). Regional: Youth Ink (McCarter Theatre), A Year with Frog and Toad (Virginia Musical Theatre), Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice, ...Charlie Brown (Utah Shakespeare Festival). TV: Law & Order. As assistant director: off-Broadway's The Tempermentals. Training: BFA, Otterbein College.

Alexander Burns (Director/Artistic Director) Previous directing credits include: Romeo and Juliet (Trinity Shakespeare Festival), Hamlet (Shakespeare Theatre Company, DC @ Carter Barron), Henri Gabler, Diabolique and The Maids (Exigent Theatre), Angels in America, Millennium Approaches (Northwestern University), Copenhagen (University of Chicago). Alexander was a Directing Fellow at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington , DC. As an assistant director Alexander has worked at the Shakespeare Theatre Company, The Old Globe, Steppenwolf Theater, The Goodman Theatre, The Flea Theatre, The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Syracuse Stage and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Alexander has assisted directors Frank Galati, Michael Kahn, Gale Edwards, Robert Moss and Ethan McSweeny. Training: Northwestern University, LCT Directors Lab and the Jack O'Brien Directors Lab. Alexander Burns is a native of Mt. Airy, Philadelphia.

*Actors appear courtesy of Actor's Equity Association.

Shakespeare's
MEASURE FOR MEASURE
The Sedgwick Theatre
7137 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia PA 19119