Tartuffe

(no venue) 6/18/2011 - 10/1/2011 (schedule)

Producer: Cameron Squire

Category:

Faith flies in the face of reason whenever the hypocrite is around! Ellen Geer directs her own adaptation of Molière’s wickedly funny Tartuffe, featuring original songs composed by Geer, with lyrics by Peter Alsop and arranged by Cody T. Gillette. Tartuffe opens on June 11 at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum where it will continue to run in repertory through October 1 as part of Theatricum’s “Outdoors & Inspired” Summer Repertory Season.

Tartuffe, ou l’Imposteur remains one of the funniest and most scathing commentaries on human greed and manipulation ever written. Considered by many to be his best work, Molière’s rich comic genius is epitomized in the character of the 17th century con artist whose exaggerated cultured manners and religious devotion mask his true aim—to defraud a naïve gentleman, seduce his wife, marry his daughter, and steal the deed to an elegant estate. Today, the French word “tartuffe” symbolizes a hypocrite, or an affected morality and exaggerated display of religious piety.

First presented in 1664 at the court of King Louis XIV at Versailles, Tartuffe was promptly condemned by the Catholic Church for its audacious attack on religious hypocrisy and banned from production. After much petitioning by the playwright, the ban was lifted and Tartuffe has stood the test of time, enduring as Molière’s most popular play.

That’s the part that Geer loves. “At each performance, we’ll have an audience member play King Louis,” she laughs. “We’ll crown him, and then Molière will start the play speaking his own words to the King. This puts the play in a context that is fun to know, namely that after Tartuffe was banned in 1667, the King granted Molière the right to produce it again. The play was, and is to this day, an overwhelming success and one of Molière’s most frequently performed.”

Portraying Molière’s colorful cast of characters are Theatricum company members Aaron Hendry in the title role, Ted Barton as Orgon, Joanna Bateman as Mariane, Daniel Billet as Damis, Alan Blumenfeld as Cleante, Misha Bouvion as Elmire, Bill Durham as M. Loyal, Liz Eldridge as Flipote, Willow Geer as Dorine, Katherine Griffith as Madam Pernelle, and Jackson McCord Thompson as Valere. Also in the ensemble are Sydney Blair, Kelly Derouin, Leah Gutentag, and William Reinbold.

Every Friday in September, audiences are invited to feast on a French Provençal buffet dinner in the theater's adjacent gardens at 6:30 pm, followed by an 8 pm performance. (Separate admission, or combination packages are available.)

The outdoor amphitheater at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is terraced into the hillside of the rustic canyon. Audience members are advised to dress casually (warmly for evenings) and bring cushions for bench seating. Snacks are available at the Hamlet Hut, and picnickers are welcome before and after the performances.

Tartuffe opens on Saturday, June 11 through October 1. A prologue (pre-show discussion) is on Saturday, July 23 @ 3:00 pm (included in the ticket price). There is a pre-performance French Provençal dinner at 6:30 pm every Friday in September (separate admission, or combo packages available). Please visit the website or call for a complete schedule of performances. Tickets for performances are from $32 for the lower tier and $20 for the upper tier. Kids 7-12 $10, 6 & under free. Students with ID are $20-$15 and seniors are $25-$18.

The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is located at 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. (midway between midway between Malibu and the San Fernando Valley) in Topanga. For reservations and information, call 310.455.2322 before May 24 and 310.455.3723 after May 24, or visit online at www.theatricum.com.

Tartuffe — Ellen Geer directs her own adaptation of Molière’s wickedly funny Tartuffe, featuring original songs composed by Geer, with lyrics by Peter Alsop and arranged by Cody Gillette. Molière’s rich comic genius is epitomized in the character of the 17th century con artist whose exaggerated cultured manners and religious devotion mask his true aim—to defraud a naïve gentleman, seduce his wife, marry his daughter, and steal the deed to an elegant estate. First presented in 1664 at the court of King Louis XIV at Versailles, Tartuffe was promptly banned for its audacious attack on religious hypocrisy. After much petitioning by the playwright, the ban was lifted and Tartuffe has endured as Molière’s most popular play. On Fridays in September, Theatricum will serve French Provençal buffet dinners in the theater's adjacent gardens at 6:30 pm, followed by an 8 pm performance. (Separate admission, or combination packages available)

WHO:
Written by Molière
Adapted and Directed by Ellen Geer
Based on a translation by Curtis Hidden Page
Original songs composed by Ellen Geer
Lyrics by Peter Alsop
Arrangements by Cody Gillette
Featuring Ted Barton, Joanna Bateman, Daniel Billet, Sydney Blair, Alan Blumenfeld, Misha Bouvion, Kelly Derouin, Bill Durham, Liz Eldridge, Willow Geer, Leah Gutentag, Katherine Griffith, Aaron Hendry, Jackson McCord Thompson, William Reinbold

WHEN:
Performances: June 11 through October 1:
Saturday, June 11 at 8 pm
Sunday, June 12 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 18 at 8 pm
Sunday, June 19 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, June 26 at 3:30 pm
Saturday, July 2 at 4 pm
Saturday, July 9 at 4 pm
Saturday, July 16 at 4 pm
*Saturday, July 23 at 4 pm
Saturday, July 30 at 4 pm
Saturday, August 6 at 4 pm
Saturday, August 13 at 4 pm
Sunday, August 21 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, August 28 at 7:30 pm
**Friday, September 2 at 8 pm
**Friday, September 9 at 8 pm
**Friday, September 16 at 8 pm
**Friday, September 23 at 8 pm
**Friday, September 30 at 8 pm
Saturday, October 1 at 4 pm

*Prologue (pre-show discussion): Saturday, July 23 at 3 pm (included in ticket price)
**Pre-performance French Provençal buffet at 6:30 pm every Friday in September (September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30)

WHERE:
The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Topanga CA 90290
(midway between Pacific Coast Highway and the Ventura Freeway)

HOW:
(310) 455-3723 or www.theatricum.com

TICKETS:
Adults: $32 (lower tier); $20 (upper tier)
Seniors, Students, Equity: $20/$15
Children (5-11): $10
Children under 5: free
Friday night combos in September: Play and Dinner:$45 (adults);$35 (teens 13-18); $20 (children 12 and under) - includes a buffet dinner & a performance of Tartuffe; advance reservations required

OTHER:
The outdoor amphitheater at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is terraced into the hillside of the rustic canyon. Audience members are advised to dress casually (warmly for evenings) and bring cushions for bench seating. Snacks are available at the Hamlet Hut, and picnickers are welcome before and after the performance.

Record created by: lucypr

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