Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center, Greenfield, MA
April 12-15 & 19–21, 2018
In this farcical rebuke of religious and moral hypocrisy –
particularly timely in today's world – Tartuffe, a wily con man who passes
himself off as a pious puritan, has insinuated himself into the household of Orgon, a wealthy Parisian. The
impostor has designs on his benefactor's fortune, as well as his attractive
wife. Members of the family are exasperated, then outraged, by Tartuffe's
malign influence, as he plots to gain control of Orgon's assets, disinherit his
son, marry his daughter and take over his house – along with his mind.
The script updates Moliere's language without losing his
incisive wit. In this face-off between love and greed, credulity and cynicism,
is a framing device that parallels the crisis within the play, leading to a
surprise climax. The tuneful score likewise reflects both the play's period and
our own.
The play runs April 12-15 & 19–21, 2018, at the Hawks
& Reed Performing Arts Center, Greenfield, MA
