Photo Flash: The Imaginary Invalid at ACT

American Conservatory Theater lowers the curtain on its seminal 40th anniversary season with Constance Congdon's world premiere adaptation of Molière's riotous send-up of wealth and wellness, The Imaginary Invalid to play through July 8.

"A source of some of the most hilariously over-the-top comedic characters in dramatic literature, The Imaginary Invalid lampoons the 17th-century health care industry," states press notes, "The play explores the maladies and mischief of the wealthy Monsieur Argan, a penny-pinching hypochondriac who believes in nothing and no one except the dubious diagnoses his quack doctors keep delivering. When the miserly Argan hatches a plan to acquire free medical care by marrying off his eldest daughter, Angélique, to his doctor's bumbling son, his plans become thwarted when she falls madly in love with another man."

Tickets ($13.50-$81.50) can be purchased at the ACT Box Office at 405 Geary Street at Mason, by calling 415-749-2228 or online at www.act-sf.org.

Performances through July 8 are Tuesdays – Saturdays at 8PM; Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2PM.  Additional performance July 1 at 7PM.  No performances on July 4.

Photos by Kevin Berne

Angelique (Allison Jean White) and Cléante (Jud Williford), disguised as a music teacher, try to convince Angelique's hypochondriac father, Argan (John Apicella) to let them wed.

Evil stepmother Béline (Rene Augesen) and her intimate friend, Monsieur de Bonnefoir, the notary (Anthony Fusco) hatch a plan to steal money from Argan (John Apicella).

The hypochondriac Argan (John Apicella) fights a bout of flatulence.

Toinette (Nancy Dussault) deceives her master Argan (John Apicella) once again.

Cléante (Jud Williford, standing) conceals himself from Argan (John Apicella, center), Purgeon (Steven Anthony Jones, left) and Purgeon's dim-witted nephew, Claude de Aria (Gregory Wallace, right) who is to marry Angelique. The maid Toinette (Nancy Dussault) nervously looks on.

Cléante (Jud Williford) shows his frustration for Claude de Aria (Gregory Wallace).

The crafty maid Toinette (Nancy Dussault) is reprimanded by Argan's physician, Purgeon (Steven Anthony Jones).

Argan (John Apicella) and his greedy wife Béline (Rene Augesen) fear a frightening enema syringe prepared by apothecary Monsieur Flueurant (Anthony Fusco).