GRANVILLE, Ohio—Denison University Theatre will present Molière’s classic comedy “Tartuffe, or The Imposter” at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 12, in the Ace Morgan Theatre (211 West College Street). Performances also will take place at the same time on Saturday, April 13, as well as on Tuesday, April 16, through Saturday, April 20, at the same location. Tickets are $8 for general admission, $5 for senior citizens, and $4 for students. For more information, visit www.denison.edu and for reservations, contact the box office at 740-587-6527.
In the play, the religious fraud Tartuffe has hoodwinked rich merchant Orgon and is poised to marry his host’s teenaged daughter, to seduce his lovely wife, and to take over his gullible patron’s fortune — unless someone stops him. Molière’s wicked satire, banned after its first performance in 1664, has been provoking worldwide laughter ever since.
Ranjit Bolt translated Molière’s rhymed couplets into sassy, modern poetry for the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain; and this is the script that guest director Geoffrey Nelson has selected for the Denison production. Bolt’s translation retains the rhymed couplets of the original, with witty dialogue that is almost musical in rhythm. A small sample is this rant from Orgon’s son Damis, trying in vain to expose Tartuffe:
“The man is a censorious fraud,
and yet he’s treated like a lord!
He’s seized control, that’s what he’s done.
No one can have an ounce of fun,
do anything but eat and sleep,
unless it’s sanctioned by that creep.”
While the script is very contemporary, the costumes and setting place the action firmly in Moliere’s 17th century France. Jessica Pitcairn ’03, a magna cum laude graduate of Denison and visiting assistant professor, has designed the elegant period costumes. Associate Professor Peter Pauzé has designed the setting, a contemporary treatment of classical motifs set against a background of the bustling city of Paris.
The title role will be played by sophomore Jacob Betts form Bryan, Ohio. Seniors in the cast are John Hewson from Upper Saddle River, N.J., as Orgon; Ellen Rosebrough from Wildwood, Mo., as his wife Elmire; Vanessa Theus from Beloit, Wis., as his daughter Mariane; Cameron Fitchett from Pickerington, Ohio, as his brother-in-law Cleante; and Emily Schuman from New York City as the saucy maid Dorine. Orgon’s son Damis and Mariane’s suitor Valère are played by juniors Pearson Handley from Bristol, R.I., and Michael Herman from Woodridge, Ill.
Sophomores in the cast are Emma Skorepa from Medina, Ohio, as Orgon’s mother Madame Pernelle; Matthew DeMotts from St. Cloud, Minn., as Monsieur Loyal; and Benjamin Flox from University Heights, Ohio, as an Officer of the King. First-year students rounding out the cast are Julia Hoagland-Sorenson from Houston as Madame Pernelle’s maid Flipote, and Kevin Ralph from Edmond, Okla., as Tartuffe’s servant Laurent and as the Second Officer of the King.
The stage manager is first-year student Jeremy Hollis from Montgomery Village, Md.
Calendar Listing:
CALENDAR LISTING: Denison, Granville—Theatre performance: “Tartuffe, or The Imposter” at 8 p.m., on Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13,; and Tuesday, April 16, through Saturday, April 20, in the Ace Morgan Theatre (211 West College Street). Tickets are $8 for general admission, $5 for senior citizens, and $4 for students. For more information, visit www.denison.edu and for reservations, contact the box office at 740-587-6527.
