A Measure of Cruelty

After a horrifying act of bullying, one of the perpetrators, Derek, is hidden away by a recently discharged, traumatized soldier Buddy, who hides Derek away in his father Teddy’s bar in the days after the crime. In a blistering 80 minutes all three men have to face each other, themselves, and the dangerous, antiquated, but still potent, definitions of masculinity they all inherited.

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"This is one of those benchmark productions that people will reference for the next decade. A stunning world premiere. A triumph!"

- Florida Theater On Stage

"A deep, intimate portrait of what happens when social norms and expectations drive people to act in ways that are more damaging than fulfilling, more harmful than helpful, and how to break the cycles of violence and anger we think we need to define us, especially men.
Packs a tremendous emotional punch."
- Broadwayworld

"The casual cruelty that constructs men’s certainty they’re real men and the cost of that violence to others and to themselves comes under scathing scrutiny in Joe Calarco’s shattering A Measure of Cruelty. It’s at once a punch in the gut and a tug to the heart."

- DC Metro Theatre Arts

"The genius of Calarco is that he sculpts the play into a multi-layered psychological drama that may be experienced at any level the audience chooses. This mastery of playcraft establishes him as a major force in contemporary theater."

- Around Town

"A transcendent piece of theater."
- Palm Beach New Times

World Premiere Mosaic Theatre Directed by Richard Jay Simon

Todd Allen Durkin, Andrew Wind photo: George Schiavone

World Premiere Mosaic Theatre Directed by Richard Jay Simon

Andrew Wind photo: George Schiavone

Premiere Revised Script 4615 Theatre Company Directed by Joe Calarco

Ethan Miller, Scott Abernathy photo: Ryan Maxwell

World Premiere Mosaic Theatre Directed by Richard Jay Simon

Todd Allen Durkin, Andrew Wind photo: George Schiavone

1/10

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

DEREK: 15 years old. Infuriating. Dazzling. Lost.

BUDDY: 30s. Working class. Haunted.

TEDDY: 60s. Buddy’s father. Gruff but warm.