Desperate Measures Review – Bait and Switch, Western Style

With book and lyrics by Peter Kellogg and musical score by David Friedman, DESPERATE MEASURES is a foot-stomping, knee-slapping musical inspired by Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure.” Like the Bard’s unconventional comedy about ethics, sexuality, and deception, DESPERATE MEASURES ponders how each of these prickly issues impacts on what we loosely call justice. The musical first premiered in Texas in 2004 before moving on to the New York Music Theater Festival in 2006. But it was not until 2017 that DESPERATE MEASURES arrived off-Broadway, where it won the Drama Desk Award for best music and best lyrics and the Outer Circle Critics and Off-Broadway Alliance awards for best musical. Broadway World critic Michael Dale described the show as “a kick-ass and new tuner, cleverly written in rhyming couplets that flow easily into songs (6/22/18).” In 2025, International City Theatre launches its fortieth anniversary season of premieres with the Los Angeles premiere of DESPERATE MEASURES.

Madison Miyuki Sprague and Aaron Gibbs – Photo by Jordan Gohara

DESPERATE MEASURES is set in the Arizona territory at the cusp of the nineteenth/twentieth centuries, a time when the Wild West was at its heyday and cowboys were real men. Johnny Blood (Aaron Gibbs) has a problem. Just because he killed a man who had an eye on Johnny’s girlfriend, they want to hang him. Even if it just doesn’t seem fair, there isn’t anything to do about it. But wait! Johnny has a sister who’s really a sister (Sister Mary Jo) previously named Susanna (Gabbie Adner). They haven’t seen each other for years, and Susanna doesn’t really approve of Johnny – but blood is blood. So when Sheriff Martin Green (Daniel A. Stevens) asks her to plead for her brother’s life from Governor Von Richterhenkenpflightgetruber (Christopher Karbo), she reluctantly agrees. But a problem develops when the Governor agrees to free Johnny – at a price. Sister Mary Jo must spend the night with him in exchange for Johnny’s freedom.

Gabbie Adner, Daniel A. Stevens, and Madison Miyuki Sprague – Photo by Jordan Gohara

Happily, the wily sheriff has a plan. Why not do a bait and switch in the bedroom? Soon Bella Rose (Madison Miyuki Sprague), an exuberant local dancehall girl and sometimes girlfriend of Johnny, is on board as Susanna’s double – all done up in a fully covered up novice nun’s habit. Will the plan work? Will the governor be fooled? Will Johnny be hanged, or freed? And what about the sheriff and Susana? And Bella Rose and Johnny?

Gabbie Adner and Christopher Karbo – Photo by Jordan Gohara

Skillfully helmed by director/choreographer Todd Nielsen, DESPERATE MEASURES is a charming and delightful Wild West musical with a heart. From rhymed couplets to creative lyrics is no small feat. Keyboardist Daniel Gary Busby directs “The Tuscon Tumbleweeds” (guitarist/banjoist Michael Higgins and violinist/fiddler Joe Buzzelli), and the songs are suitably frolicking, Western, and boot-clicking. The talented cast does a terrific job of bringing this crowd of Westerners alive with song and dance. The performers were clearly veteran musical comedy pros, with special kudos to Gabbie Adner and Christopher Karbo for their potent vocal talents while reeling in the birds from the trees.

Madison Miyuki Sprague and Aaron Gibbs – Photo by Jordan Gohara

Destiny Manewal’s scenic design is flexible and appropriately dusty Western town, and Kim DeShazo’s costumes fill the bill when both demure and not-so. DESPERATE MEASURES is inviting and appealing – both humorous and clever – to be expected from a production lifted from Shakespeare. This is a must-see musical which will entertain and amuse – and you’ll have trouble keeping those toes from tapping.

Gabbie Adner, Daniel A. Stevens, Aaron Gibbs, and Jason Whitton- Photo by Jordan Gohara

DESPERATE MEASURES runs through March 9, 2025, with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. The International City Theatre is located in the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center at the Beverly O’Neill Theater, 330 East Seaside Way, Long Beach, CA 980802. Tickets are $56 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and $59 on Sunday matinees.  For information and reservations, call 562-436-4610 or go online.