Virginia Rep's TARTUFFE to Open 2/13

Virginia Repertory Theatre announces the opening of Molie?re's clever comedy, Tartuffe, at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, 114 West Broad Street on Friday, February 14 with a preview on Thursday, February 13. The show runs through March 9, 2014. This year marks the 350th anniversary of the first production of this world classic in 1664. Molie?re, often considered the first great playwright of the Enlightenment, used his growing play audience and Tartuffe to exploit the hypocrisy of the church leaders who at the time controlled 20% of the French economy. After debuting for King Louis XIV at Versailles, Tartuffe was banned for six years on the demand of the clergy. The story of Tartuffe, a religious hypocrite, who uses his connections to swindle his generous host, Orgon, out of his wealth, home and wife, has long been considered a comic masterpiece. This production of Tartuffe is part of the Acts of Faith Theatre Festival.

Under the direction of Virginia Rep's Artistic Director, Bruce Miller, this production will offer a fresh take on the classic work. "Molie?re was the wild child of his time, and I want his personality to be reflected in this production. I am thrilled to work with such an energetic cast who bring a sharp, sexy and very funny spirit to the show." Recent directing credits include As You Like It, Boleros for the Disenchanted, Legacy of Light,

My Fair Lady, The Little Dog Laughed, The Crucible, The Lark, the Smoke on the Mountain trilogy, On Golden Pond, Annie Get Your Gun, Anything Goes, and A Lug Nuts Christmas.

Costume designs by Sue Griffin (My Fair Lady, Next to Normal, Intimate Apparel) will reflect the 17th century era of elegance for both men and women. Set designer Brian Barker (Music Man, Spring Awakening, Nightblooms for Virginia Rep) and lighting designer Lynne Hartman (To Kill A Mockingbird, The Music Man, Red, Hay Fever for Virginia Rep) are well known for their design talents at the November Theatre.

Virginia Rep welcomes Ryan Bechard as Tartuffe to his first production at the November Theatre. Bechard was recently seen in Sons of the Prophet for Cadence Theatre and Virginia Rep and Macbeth (RTCC award for Best Actor) with Richmond Shakespeare. Eva DeVirgilis will be making her debut with Virginia Rep in the role of Elmire. A transplant from New York, DeVirgilis was recently seen in The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe at Henley Street Theatre. She has been featured on Law & Order; Criminal Intent, and will appear in the upcoming AMC Television series Turn this spring.

Recently seen as Mayor Shinn in The Music Man this past summer, Joe Pabst returns to Virginia Rep as Orgon. Other Virginia Rep credits include The Man Who Came to Dinner, Brooklyn Boy, Barefoot in the Park, and Lend Me a Tenor. Amaree Cluff and Brad Frazier join the cast from the University of Virginia MFA in Acting program as part of a new partnership between Virginia Rep and UVA.

Middle and high school matinees will take place on February 20 and 27 at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $14 and include a talkback with the cast.

The Talk on Tap conversation series and Acts of Faith talkbacks will take place on Friday evenings after the 8:00 p.m. performance on February 21, 28, and March 7. Cast members will join the audience for casual conversations about the production.

Ticket Information

Box Office 804-282-2620
www.va-rep.org
Full Price Tickets: $38 - $46