By Nick Sestanovich

Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park is going deep— in more ways than one— for this year’s play, which is directed by a well-known forner Benicia educator.

Christine Mani, who taught theater at Benicia High School for 17 years, is directing “Measure for Measure,” which kicks off a four-week run in multiple cities Friday. William Shakespeare’s dark comedy, written in either 1603 or 1604, is set in Vienna when its duke, Vincentio, decides to go on a break from ruling. He puts the strict Judge Angelo in charge, who enforces harsh immorality laws, sentences a man named Claudio to death for impregnating his fiancee and offers his sister Isabella a deal where he will spare Claudio from death if she has sex with Angelo.

While the play is not as universally known as other Shakespeare titles like “Romeo and Juliet” or “Hamlet,” it is one that has a lot of relevance in today’s political and cultural climate.

Source: Former BHS teacher chosen to direct Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park production