'Measure for Measure' 'Measure for Measure' (August 11, 2000)

All Pleasanton parks are a stage for Shakespeare this summer

Three free weekends of the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival at Amador Valley Community Park are ending, but The Bard is not leaving Pleasanton just yet.

Civic Arts is sponsoring a free picnic performance of Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" at 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 19, at Centennial Park, which is adjacent to the Senior Center, 5353 Sunol Blvd. The spirited comedy will be performed by Woman's Will. The group usually has women playing every role, but for this production, women play the men's roles and men play the women.

"In this serious yet light-hearted production, our performers experience what it feels like to be on the other side of the equation," said Wendy Wilcox, managing director. "Both actors and audience discover the perceived boundaries of gender roles in our society."

In "Measure for Measure," a young nun pleads for the life of her brother, who has been condemned to die, and she finds herself at the mercy of an arrogant ruler who has less than honorable intentions.

The mission of Civic Arts is to provide a creative outreach to Pleasanton residents through a variety of arts experiences. It also produces Civic Arts Presents and dramatic productions at the Amador Theater, as well as offering a range of classes and programs. <@$p>