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Desperate Measures

2025 • Theatre Jacksonville

Poster for Theatre Jacksonville's 'Desperate Measures' showing a Western-style two-story building illustration, with the play's title in large, ornate red letters in the foreground. The play runs from June 6-22, 2025.
Musical Comedy Western
Get ready for Desperate Measures, a rollicking Wild West musical inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘Measure for Measure.’
read more
Get ready for Desperate Measures, a rollicking Wild West musical inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘Measure for Measure.’ read more

Details

Theatre
Theatre Jacksonville
Venue
Theatre Jacksonville
Harold K. Smith Playhouse 2032 San Marco Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Show Maps
Dates
Friday, June 6, 2025 —
Sunday, June 22, 2025 Tap here to see all showtimes... Click here to see all showtimes...
Showtimes
Friday, June 6, 2025
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 7, 2025
7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 12, 2025
7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 13, 2025
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 14, 2025
7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 15, 2025
2:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 19, 2025
7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 20, 2025
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 21, 2025
7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 22, 2025
2:00 p.m.
Website
Official web page
Book
Peter Kellogg
Lyrics
Peter Kellogg
Music
David Friedman

Synopsis

Set in the late 1800s, this musical spins a tale of Johnny Blood, a charming outlaw whose life is on the line. When a lawman offers him a chance for freedom in exchange for his sister’s hand in marriage to the governor, a series of wild mishaps and moral dilemmas ensue. Featuring a lively score, sharp wit, and plenty of humor, Desperate Measures cleverly blends classical themes with a frontier setting, resulting in a foot-stomping, feel-good musical romp.

Musical numbers

Act I

  • “The Ballad of Johnny Blood” — All
  • “The Ballad of Johnny Blood (Reprise)” — Johnny
  • “That’s Just How It Is” — Sheriff
  • “Some Day They Will Thank Me” — Governor
  • “Look in Your Heart” — Susanna
  • “It’s Good to Be Alive” — Johnny
  • “It Doesn’t Hurt to Try” — Sheriff, Johnny, Susanna, Priest
  • “It’s Getting Hot in Here” — Bella
  • “The Way That You Feel” — Susanna, Sheriff, Bella
  • “Stop There” — Sheriff
  • “In the Dark” — All
  • “Song Title” - Character, Ensemble

Act II

  • “What a Night!” — Governor
  • “About Last Night” — Governor and Susanna
  • “Stop There (Reprise)” — Sheriff
  • “Just for You” — Bella and Johnny
  • “Just For You (Reprise)” — Bella and Johnny
  • “What is This Feeling?” — Susanna
  • “Life Takes You by Surprise” — All
  • “It’s Good to Be Alive” (Reprise) — Johnny
  • “It’s a Beautiful Day” — Susanna and Bella
  • “Finale” — All

Cast

Johnny Blood
Brennan Moritz
Father Morse
Neal Thorburn
Sheriff Martin Green
Chris Robertson
Susanna AKA Sister Mary Jo
Morgan Perry
Governor Von Richterhenkenpflichtgetruber
Alec Hadden
Bella Rose
Aly Blakewell

Crew

Director
Daniel Austin
Music Director
Erin Barnes
Production Manager
Michelle Kindy
Lighting & Set Design
Johnny Pettegrew
Sound Design
Brent Mulberry
Costume Design
Joy Smith
Graphic Design
Green Onion Creative LLC
Box Office Support Staff
Katie Cress
Stage Management Team
Lourdes Acosta
Eli Durnam
Aspen Krill
Light Board Operator
Katie Cress
Sound Board Operator
Tyler Leeps

Reviews

'Desperate Measures' Puts a Rootin’-Tootin’ Spin on Shakespeare at Theatre Jacksonville | JaxPlays Reviews

Theatre Jacksonville’s Desperate Measures brings wild western charm to Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, with standout performances and sharp musical wit. read more

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