World Premiere of Fiasco Theater's MEASURE FOR MEASURE Set for New Victory, 2/28-3/16

New York's Fiasco Theater sheds new light on one of Shakespeare's darkest comedies in the world premiere of Fiasco Theater's Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare; the show runs Off-Broadway at The New Victory Theater from February 28 - March 16, 2014.

Fiasco Theater will illuminate complex characters and perplexing plots with live music and moxie in this tale of morality and manipulation. When the lax Duke of Vienna installs a deputy to enforce the city's strict laws and walks in disguise among his people, he learns the perils of blind justice. With a brilliant talent for devising new interpretations of classic works, this distinctive ensemble explores the relationship between the powerful and the powerless in Measure for Measure by double-casting performers: Jessie Austrian will play Escalus and Marianna, Noah Brody will play Claudio and Pompey, Paul L. Coffey will play Angelo and Elbow, Ben Steinfeld will play Lucio and Froth, Emily Young will play Isabella and Mistress Overdone and Andy Grotelueschen will play Duke Vincentio.

Co-directed by Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld, Fiasco's Measure for Measure will feature set design by Tony Award-winning designer Derek McLane (Ragtime, 33 Variations, Pajama Game), costume design by Whitney Locher (Into the Woods and Cymbeline, Fiasco Theater) and lighting design by Tim Cryan (Cymbeline and Twelfth Night, Fiasco Theater). Steinfeld will also direct the music for the production, which will draw from both the church and the beer hall, and will be performed live by the actors on stage.

"Measure for Measure is fascinating to us as Shakespeare specifically set his story in an urban environment, and explored the dilemmas that face a city's populace and government," says Noah Brody, co-artistic director of Fiasco Theater; he continues, "It can only happen where all strata of society exist in the same place and depend upon one another, though they occupy different spheres and have conflicting agendas." This play about city life feels especially significant to the company as they prepare to return to The New Victory Theater in Times Square (Cymbeline, Theatre for a New Audience 2011). Brody adds, "Performing at The New Victory, where they share in Fiasco's mission to make theater affordable and accessible to everyone, offers us the unique opportunity to perform for a range of new audiences."

In anticipation of the world premiere at The New Victory, Fiasco Theater participated in the New Victory LabWorks residency program, which provided the company with rehearsal space and support as they explored a new model of development that involved the whole ensemble from concept to production.

Tickets for Measure for Measure at The New Victory Theater (209 West 42nd Street) are $25, $18, $12 and $9 for Members based on seat locations, with full price tickets starting at $14.

Theater-goers who buy tickets for three or more New Victory shows qualify for free Membership, with benefits including 35-percent savings on tickets all season long and unlimited free ticket exchanges. Purchase tickets online or by phone at 646-223-3010. The New Victory Theater box office (209 West 42nd Street) is open Sunday and Monday from 11am-5pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 12pm-7pm. For more information, visit the New Victory website.