Greasy Joan and Co. has taken on a huge undertaking by bringing Moliere's The Misanthrope to the stage at the Athenaeum Theatre. Billed as Moliere's 'comic masterpiece' the play is translated from its original script which in itself leaves the door open for the expression "gets lost in the translation."
Not only is The Misanthrope a period piece (produced in 1666), it is also a French period piece which is most likely (need I say it) as foreign in its concepts to most Americans as is the author. As a great big generalization on this writer's part, the French have a very different of sense humor that most Americans are not in tune with. The subtle jabs, and ironies, and the philosophies of the French are surely lost on many viewers of this production. The same is likely to be said about some of the interpretations of the characters in The Misanthrope by the actors. The cultural differences can lead to a very different understanding about why and how a "character" or person would react in the 1600s to the situations portrayed, and a real understanding of this is crucial to build upon.Greasy Joan and Co. is presenting The Misanthrope by Moliere at the Athenaeum Theatre from March 5-April 5th, 2008. For ticket information, please contact the box office at (773) 935-6860 or by email at info@athenaeumtheatre.com.
Photo by Michael Brosilow: (left to right) Dan Behrendt (Clitandre), Kate Cares (Celimene), Carlo Garcia (Acaste) and Carol Enoch (Arsinoe)
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