Theater review: Desperate Measures

    Jo Garcia-Reger, Rudy Martinez, Samantha Duval, Michael Louis Cusimano, Rusty Ferracane & Elijah Rock

Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” is nutty enough in its original form, with a character in jail awaiting hanging for offenses venal politicians engage in themselves (like having sex with a woman outside the marriage contract) and several characters pretending to be something they’re not.

But to take that British lunacy, set it in the American Wild West and make a musical of it? That’s real craziness, and thanks to writer Peter Kellogg and composer David Friedman, “Desperate Measures” has just made its West Coast debut at North Coast Repertory Theatre, where it plays through Feb. 12.

Christopher Williams directs the show with panache, and six actors rush around speaking in rhyming couplets like this: 

“And if that offends unduly, 

blame Will Shakespeare, not yours truly.”

Somewhere in Arizona, there’s a jail administered by Sheriff Martin Green (Elijah Rock), whose only prisoner at the moment is Johnny Blood. The Sheriff doesn’t especially relish the task of executing Blood, but sings that “Justice ain’t kind” and “You can’t fight every battle. Most days you muddle through.”

Michael Louis Cusimano plays the condemned prisoner, who shares a cell with Father Morse (Rudy Martinez), a relatively relaxed prelate just looking for a place to sleep. Blood has the top bunk.

Johnny, hysterical about his upcoming execution, is thrilled when his sister Susanna (Jo Garcia-Reger) shows up, and asks her to petition the Governor for a pardon. It’s Susanna who is about to take the veil, but she agrees to intercede for her brother.

Now here’s a character for you: the Governor is a Nazi-inflected jerk with an utterly unpronounceable name, played with Hitlerian relish by Rusty Ferracane. He thinks good government is about security and safety. “Someday They Will Thank Me,” he sings, finishing with “Make Arizona great again.”

When Susanna asks him to spare Johnny’s life, the Gov wants something in exchange. Susanna stomps out in a hurry, but meets local hooker Bella Rose (played wonderfully by Samantha Duval) on the way, and since they look rather alike, they make their own arrangement that will save Johnny’s life.

It’s a goofy play, full of funny lines and jaunty songs played with great relish by a quartet of fine musicians.

Marty Burnett’s minimal, easily-movable set pieces, Elisa Benzoni’s costumes (especially the Gov’s mostly black number), Jill Gorrie Rovasto’s jaunty choreography, Matt Novotny’s lighting and Aaron Rumley’s sound design all contribute to the look and atmosphere of this crazy show.

If you’re looking for relief from the last couple of awful years, grab an N95 mask (must also prove vaccination status) and get a ticket for “Desperate Measures.”

The details

“Desperate Measures” plays through February 12, 2022.

Shows Wed. @ 2 and 7pm, Thurs & Fri. @ 8 pm; Sat. at 2 & 8 pm; Sun @ 2 and 7 pm 

For tickets: ncrt.org; (858) 481-1055