SHAKESPEARE ’70 TAKES ON BIG MORAL QUESTIONS IN DARK COMEDY: Shakespeare ’70’s “Measure for Measure” will run at MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre, June 23 to July 2. In rehearsal for “Measure for Measure” are, from left, Timothy Kirk of Delran as Pompey, Russ Walsh of Morrisville, Pa., as Elbow/Abhorson, and Ernie Albanesius of Chesterfield as Froth/Barnardine. Tickets are available at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling (609) 570-3333.

“Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall,” proclaims Shakespeare in “Measure for Measure,” coming to Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC’s) Kelsey Theatre. Dates and show times for this dark comedy are: Friday, June 23 and 30, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, June 24 and July 1 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, June 25 and July 2 at 2 p.m. 

Kelsey Theatre is located on the college’s West Windsor Campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew will follow the opening performance on June 23.

Set in Vienna, “Measure for Measure” explores some of society’s big moral questions — the abuse of power and merciful justice, hypocrisy and virtue, and forgiveness and repentance. Mistaken identities abound, as Shakespeare tells this morality tale with a cast of colorful characters including murderers, pimps, politicians, whores, nuns, and nobles.

The cast features John Bergeron of Pennington as Duke Vincentio; Ray Fallon of Collingswood as Angelo; Christopher C. Gibbs of Fanwood as Escalus; John Fischer of Hamilton and Michael Krahel of Hillsborough sharing the role of Claudio; Andrew Timmes of Princeton as Lucio; Scott Karlin of West Windsor as Provost; Todd Gregoire of Levittown, Pa., as Friar Peter; Timothy Kirk of Delran as Pompey; Russ Walsh of Morrisville, Pa., as Elbow/Abhorson; Ernie Albanesius of Chesterfield as Froth/Barnardine; Morgan Petronis of Ewing as Isabella; Amanda McCarther of Princeton as Mariana; Kyla Mostello Donnelly of Levittown, Pa., as Mistress Overdone; Kelly Colleran of Wayne as Juliet; Erin Leder of Bordentown as Sister Francisca; and Jenna Burke of Ringwood as Kate Keepdown.

United by a common love for classic theater, Shakespeare ’70 has produced 40 years of Shakespeare classics, spanning three generations of actors, directors, and technical crew. For many years, the company has closed out the Kelsey Theatre season with one of the Bard’s great works.

Tickets for “Measure for Measure” are $18 for adults; $16 for seniors; and $14 for students and children. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey box office at (609) 570-3333.

———