Mr. Angelo

Everyone encounters moral dilemmas. Writer Daniel Tarker’s new work picks some of the touchiest subjects to deliver a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure: rape, hypocrisy, and religion. When Methodist pastor Izzy Stephens (Emmatrice Devan) is propositioned by the prosecuting attorney, Mr. Angelo, in her young brother’s statutory-rape case, she is steadfast in her faith. Considering this situation, Izzy’s vanity comes to the forefront–and the play becomes more of a close character study than anything else. Jesse Putnam delivers a perfectly evil Mr. Angelo, but one whom naive Izzy can certainly learn from. Director M.E. Graham helps translate the dark comedy into an unresolved melodrama. IRFAN SHARIFF

Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Starts: Jan. 14. Continues through Feb. 7, 2010