The NECC Top Notch Players perform Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. Patrick Poly (Lawrence) as Angelo and Leah Mahoney (Boxford) as Isabella.

“Measure for Measure” is widely known as one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays.” It is a comedy in most of the traditional senses of the word, but it explores the sort of deeper, darker human dilemmas that were normally saved for the playwright’s tragedies.

The Northern Essex Community College Top Notch Players will perform “Measure for Measure” Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29 and Nov. 4 and 5.  All performances begin at 7:30 pm and will be held at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Haverhill, 15 Kenoza Ave.

At the center of this play is the issue of a woman’s place in society, and the often crushing weight of patriarchal authority — two issues that Northern Essex Community College students found to be just as relevant today as they were in 1604, when the play was first performed. As such, they’ve opted to wear contemporary clothing rather than Shakespearian costume.

“This is certainly a play where we can find so many immediate parallels to our world right now,” said Jim Murphy, NECC theatre professor. “By doing it in contemporary dress, we find the audience is more readily able to see these parallels with current events.”

Available at the door, tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students and seniors.

Cast members include:

Noah Greenstein and Leah Mahoney of Boxford; Dierdree Glassford of Newmarket, N.H.; Hunter Gouldthorpe of Salisbury; Ben Joyall and Natalie Scott of Groveland; Michael Gulezian and Hannah Heckman-McKenna of Salem, N.H.; Connie Bodemer of Haverhill; and Felix Carpio, Patrick Poly and Benjamin Beverage of Lawrence.

On the crew, Claire Neville of Londonderry, N.H. will be stage manager; Sarah Durning of North Andover will be costumer; Nate Joyall of Groveland will be handling props; and Geehae Moon of Haverhill will be assistant director.

The NECC Top Notch Players perform Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. Hannah Heckman-McKenna as Lucio and Michael Gulezian as Duke Vincentio both from Salem, NH.

Unlike previous NECC productions, Murphy will not be handling directorial duties this time around; instead, professional director Danielle Howard of Dover, N.H. has stepped in to fill that role.

NECC offers an associate degree in liberal arts: theatre option which gives students the opportunity to sample various aspects of theater. Individuals can take courses in acting, directing, improvisation, children’s theater and may earn credits for working on college productions in stage management and technical theater. Graduates can pursue many career paths or transfer to a bachelor’s program in acting, directing or technical theater for employment as an actor, theater manager, house manager, stage manager, set, lighting, costume or sound designer, technical director or scenic artist director.

For additional information or to request sign language interpreting contact Murphy at jmurphy@necc.mass.edu or 978-556-3377.