Lee Osorio as Angelo and Renea S. Brown as Isabella in Folger Theater’s “Measure for Measure.” Photo by Erika Nizborski.
What role should the government play in shaping its citizens’ morality? Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” explores this ever timely question through the story of Isabella, a young novice trying to save her brother’s life during a legal crackdown on promiscuity. Labeled as one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays” for causing so much debate, “Measure for Measure” seems designed to force the viewer to decide what is right and not lay out a clear answer.
Folger Theatre has done it again with this beautiful production that asks hard questions, but provides a hopeful path forward…
“Measure for Measure” is the story of a young woman who is called upon to beg for mercy for her brother, sentenced to death for impregnating his fiancée. The Duke of Vienna has realized that the laws of the land are no longer being enforced, yet fears that the people will call him a tyrant if he suddenly turns away from former leniency. He leaves Angelo, his second in command, in charge for a time to enforce the rules, but returns in disguise to see how it goes. Shakespeare’s characters wander through a maze of hypocrisy, justice, and mercy.
Folger’s production takes a play already full of tantalizing and uncomfortable questions and adds on a layer of racial tension. Director Psalmayene 24 sets “Measure for Measure” in the 1950s Jim Crow era South. While the play is certainly an interesting enough story on its own, Psalmayne 24’s vision speaks to modern concerns. I only wish that this production had leaned further into the racial tension throughout the entirety of the play, so that the ending would have felt like a more satisfying conclusion to a more consistent theme.
While certainly intellectual and political, the play also entertains, sometimes in an uncomfortable way. It is an occasionally unsettling mixture of comedy and tragedy. Shakespeare ricochets the audience back and forth between laughter and horror, and Director Psalmayne 24 drives the feeling of whiplash home with his direction and use of music in a highly effective way.
The music by composer KOKAYI and choreography by Tony Thomas make Folger’s production feel very modern, which can be a nice balance to the unfamiliar language of Shakespeare’s time. The set by Debra Booth added not only visually, but also intellectually. The looming white walls make every actor feel small in comparison to the institutions of “justice” that surround them. The costumes designed by Mika Eubanks are perfection, differentiating between the characters of the brothel scene, the government workers, and the clergy with an elegant simplicity that is never boring.
Renea S. Brown plays a beautiful Isabella whose youthful exuberance and naivety make her experiences that much more devastating. Brown is simply captivating. The Duke is utterly believable, played by Nathan Darrow with a precise physicality and excellent delivery of the text. Lee Osorio’s Angelo is horrific in his violence, hypocrisy, awareness of the evil he is doing and his subsequent decision to do it anyways. Holly Twyford gives an excellent performance as the conflicted Escalus. Jonathan Feuer and Ahmad Kamal brought fantastic comedy as Lucio and Pompey respectively. Sean Fri’s Provost is hilarious in the final scene as well, waiting eagerly to unveil the Duke’s identity.
Folger is more than just a theater. I highly recommend coming early to explore the beautiful ground floor Shakespeare exhibit. It holds interactive displays (including a copy of the first folio that you can touch) and a new exhibit “To Hear Her Speak: Black Women & Shakespeare” opens October 16th. While this play may be more suited to someone familiar with Shakespeare’s style and language, this production can be enjoyed and is relevant for any audience. Folger Theatre has done it again with this beautiful production that asks hard questions, but provides a hopeful path forward for audiences.
Running Time: Two hours and 20 minutes with a 15 minute intermission.
Advisory: Contains sexual references and depiction of sexual assault.
“Measure for Measure” runs through November 1, 2026 at Folger Shakespeare Library 201 East Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003. For more information and to purchase tickets, please call the Folger Box Office at 202-544-7077, email folgerboxoffice@folger.edu, or go online.
