The play, written by William Shakespeare, is set in Vienna during a time where it is against the law to have sex before you are married. The punishment for this crime is imprisonment or, more likely, death.

According to Cara Nardone, senior musical theatre major, the play is considered a problem play. The main character is a girl named Isabella who wants to become a nun in Vienna.

“The problem is that her brother just knocked up his fiance,” said Nardone.

Isabella is forced to go to Angelo, the man who made this terrible law, and plead for her brother’s life.  He agrees to spare her brother if Isabella will sleep with him.

There is plenty of drama, deception, and duplicity in “Measure for Measure”, according to director David Zarko.

“What we are attempting to do is to give the students as much training in the basics of Shakespeare as we can so that they can deliver an organic and connected performance,” said Zarko.

This play is performed more often for modern audiences, according to Doctor Erin Sadlack, dramaturge of the production.

“The idea of how do we deal with political corruption, social corruption, these issues are why Shakespeare is amazing in the ways that his plays really do still resonate for us today,” said Sadlack.

This light comedy is certainly not the usual Shakespearean tragedy. According to Sadlack, audience members will be entertained by dirty jokes, hypocrisy, and greed that is present in the performance.

“Everything is exposed. It’s great,” said Sadlack.

Tickets are $10 regular admission, $8 seniors, $6 students, and free for IHM Sisters and for those with Marywood ID. For reservations, call 570-348-6211, ext. 6097.