TARTUFFE Opens 7/8 at The Sherman Playhouse

On Friday, July 8, The Sherman Playhouse will premiere Molière's 17th-century comedic farce, Tartuffe. The curtain rises at 8:00 p.m. on a four-week run.

Tartuffe is one of Molière's (born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin) most masterful and popular plays. Its central character is a rich bourgeois named Orgon, who in middle age has become a bigot and prude. By displaying a false sense of sanctity, Tartuffe, a wily opportunist and swindler, gains complete power over Orgon, who not only takes over his fortune but offers his daughter in marriage to his "spiritual" master.

"The Sherman Playhouse production is working with Richard Wilbur's translation, which is beautifully crafted for today's audiences," said director Paul J. Tines of Kent. "The show is a delightful summer romp as Tartuffe indulges in all of his many fantasies in a Parisian household."

"I don't want folks to be put off by the fact that this play was written in 1664 by some French dude," said producer Patricia Michael of Dover Plains, N.Y. "Tartuffe is a rollicking bawdy farce, made even funnier by an extremely talented and expert cast and a brilliantly creative director. We've all had a ball during rehearsals and we're sure the audience will too."

The production features a talented cast of area actors: PatRick Kelly (Ridgefield), David Bailey (Salisbury), John Fabiani (Watertown), Lauren Hoag (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.), Kit Colbourn (Fishkill, N.Y.), Shea Coughlin (Sherman), Bruce Tredwell (Brewster, N.Y.), Mary-Genevieve Moisan (Washington), Katherine and David Almquist (both Sharon), Robin Frome and Gabriel Fowler (both New Milford).

Besides Mr. Tines and Ms. Michael, the show's crew includes lighting designer Al Chiapetta, Sound Designer David White, costume designer Lisa Bonelli, wig designer Joseph Russo, and stage manager David Bailey.

The first version of Tartuffe premiered at the Palace of Versailles on May 12, 1664. It received a great deal of criticism for its themes of the day and was quickly banned. The final revised version debuted on February 5, 1669 at the Palais-Royal theatre and was highly successful. The first Broadway production took place at the ANTA Washington Square Theatre in New York on January 14, 1965 with the likes of HAl Holbrook, Tony Lo Bianco, and John Phillip Law all playing minor roles. In 1984, Tartuffe was adapted into a French film, directed by and starring Gérard Depardieu.

Tartuffe runs July 8,9 15,16,17 22,23 29,30,31. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, with 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinees on July 17 and 31. Tickets for all shows are $22 for adults and $11 for children 12 and under.

On Thursday, July 7, all patrons are invited to attend a "Half-Price Preview Night" at 8:00 p.m. where all tickets are only $11. Students may see any performance for $11 if they pay in cash only at the door and carry a valid student ID. Students may not make reservations in advance for a performance.

Reservations can be made online at shermanplayers.org or by calling the box office at (860) 354-3622.

The Sherman Playhouse is a non-Equity theatre company located at 5 Route 39 North (next to the firehouse) in Sherman, CT.