Theater News

York Theatre Announces Cast, Creatives for Desperate Measures

The Wild West musical, inspired by Shakespeare’s ”Measure for Measure”, will make its New York premiere.

Rock of Ages's Lauren Molina will be part of the cast of the York Theatre Company's New York premiere of Desperate Measures, a Wild West musical inspired by Shakespeare's Measure for Measure.
Rock of Ages's Lauren Molina will be part of the cast of the York Theatre Company's New York premiere of Desperate Measures, a Wild West musical inspired by Shakespeare's Measure for Measure.
(© David Gordon)

The York Theatre Company announced the cast and creative team for the New York premiere of Desperate Measures, running September 19-October 15 at Saint Peter's, with opening night set for October 1.

With book and lyrics by Peter Kellogg, and music by David Friedman, Desperate Measures, inspired by Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, is described as follows: "In 1890, in a territory out West, Johnny Blood, a hot-tempered young cowboy is sentenced to hang for killing a man in a bar fight. His sister, a novice nun in a nearby mission, is persuaded to plead with a corrupt governor to spare her brother's life. The governor promises to pardon Johnny if his sister, the Sister, will 'do his bidding' for the night. Adding to the humorous complications are a hard-bitten sheriff, a voluptuous saloon girl and a priest who reads Nietzsche."

The cast will feature Emma Degerstedt as Susanna and Sister Mary Jo, Gary Marachek as Father Morse, Lauren Molina (Rock of Ages) as Bella Rose, Conor Ryan (John and Jen) as Johnny Blood, Peter Saide (Skin Tight) as Sheriff Green, and Nick Wyman (Les Misérables) as Governor von Richterhenkenpflichtgetruber.

Directed and choreographed by Bill Castellino (Marry Harry), and with music direction by David Hancock Turner (Money Talks), the creative team will include James Morgan (set), Nicole Wee (costumes), Paul Miller (lights), Julian Evans (sound), Deb Gaouette (props), Carol Hanzel (casting), Joseph Hayward (associate director), and Kevin Maloof (production manager). Christine Lemme will be the production stage manager, with Laura C. Nelson assistant stage manager.

For tickets and more information, click here.