Tartuffe fuses 17th century verse and modern improvisation on Fredonia stage

Elizabeth Holtan
Special to The Leader

ELIZABETH HOLTAN/ Special to The Leader

The cast of Tartuffe rehearses 17th century verse while adding modern influences to the script. The performance will bring seduction, hypocrisy, love and deception.

Fredonia's production of Tartuffe features seduction, hypocrisy, love and deception, which all takes place in rhyme.

According to TheatreHistory.com, a Web site which discusses theater from many countries, Tartuffe, originally written in French verse by Moliere and first performed in 1664, follows the ploy of the devious title character, played by Dave Ebert, to charm his way into the household of Orgon (Adam Kane).

Orgon's family, including his wife, Elmire (Amy White), beloved daughter Mariane (Katie Hicks) and her ever-meddling maid Dorine (Kate Fahey), attempt to expose sly Tartuffe's ways.

The comedy satirizes false piety in the character of Tartuffe, and was banned several times until Moliere used his influence with King Louis IV to produce it.

But instead of 17th century Paris, Fredonia's production of Tartuffe is set in contemporary sunny southern California, complete with a buttery yellow set.

"It's been on my list for about eight years to direct," said Ted Sharon, who is a professor in the department of theatre and dance and in his sixth year at Fredonia. "It really worked out well as far as casting goes."

Senior BFA acting major Juliana Brady described her character, Madame Pernelle, as "a very eccentric, rich old biddy" who is completely blind to Tartuffe's trickery.

"Puppy" makes a cameo appearance onstage as Madame Pernelle's faithful pooch, Mr. Piddles, in the arms of her maid Flipote (Joanna Hernandez). "Little dogs always work onstage, especially in comedies," said Sharon.

"It's been a group effort to develop each other's characters and the plot," Brady said. "We've been able to tweak the script, make it more modern and through the process we've worked together, which has been different from any show I've been in."

Performing a 17th century piece has been "a really wild experience to say the least, doing a play in verse," said junior musical theatre major Amy White, who plays the part of Elmire, Orgon's wife.

"At first it was very intimidating knowing that I'd be performing a Moliere [play]," said White, "But what else is acting if not challenging? The whole show rhymes!"

Due to Sharon's direction, the cast added touches of modern influence to the script, all with a respective nod to the playwright.

"Moliere would want a funny as show as possible," White said. "There's a few line changes to make it a little more enjoyable for the audience," Sharon said.

The cast has practiced ad-libbing in verse within the course of the play and audiences may have the chance to ring a bell to cue improvisation.

Despite the alterations to the original play, "Theatre that worked back then still relates today," Brady said. "It's amazing how society has recycled itself."

Dec. 5 is "Drama Day," when local elementary and high school students are invited to a special performance. The department of theatre and dance typically hosts the event once a semester.

Performances will be at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2 and at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6 through Saturday Dec. 8 in the Bartlett Theatre.

For more information, contact the Central Ticket Office in the Williams Center at 673-3501 or toll-free at 1-866-441-4928.