'Measure for Measure' sure to delight

SANDPOINT — It isn’t truly a comedy. Yet “Measure for Measure” isn’t really a tragedy either.

What today’s performance of the classic play by William Shakespeare will be is great fun, organizers said.

Montana Shakespeare in the Park, a nonprofit theater group, will visit Memorial Field today perform “Measure for Measure.”

“‘Measure for Measure’ is one of Shakespeare’s problem plays,” director of community partnerships Callie Hamilton said. “It’s not fully a comedy but not fully a tragedy — it’s kind of a dark comedy. It’s a story that is really about mercy and has a bit of heaviness in thinking about roles of women and believability.”

Montana Shakespeare in the Park is an outreach program of Montana State University and has served communities for 51 years. The group’s mission is to offer high-quality theater to rural areas that wouldn’t otherwise have access to it, Hamilton said. It operates independently of MSU in regard to funding and runs mainly on donations, which make up 80% of the organization’s income.

The organization casts nationwide, hosting auditions for several hundred professionals. Those selected rehearse daily in Montana for four weeks before they begin traveling.

“Once they hit the road, they are everything,” Hamilton said.

Cast members participate in all aspects of each show including set up, sound and performing.

The show will begin at 5 p.m. in Memorial Park and is free for anyone. Seating is first-come, first-serve and audience members are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and even picnics.

Information: shakespeareintheparks.org