Tartuffe

College News Archive LAS News
	October 6, 2008 ISU Theatre sets Moliere classic in New York City Moliere's French social satire classic, "Tartuffe," has been adapted and performed in any number of time periods. ISU Theatre will present the latest "new" version of the play set in New York City's Greenwich Village, the day before Thanksgiving in 1959. The production will be performed in Fisher Theater Nov. 6-9. "It's a period of history I really like," says Adam Heffernan, ISU Theatre instructor and "Tartuffe's" director. "The brilliance of classical plays like ‘Tartuffe' is that you can transfer them to any time period quite easily." Heffernan says he selected 1959 for a specific reason. "The '50s is about to end and the new decade will bring about lots of changes and a feeling of innocence lost," he says. "In 1959 however, the traditional family structure was still intact although in ten years that will all be different. "The combination of sets, props and costumes, along with a fabulous soundtrack from that time, makes it feel like it was be to be in Greenwich Village in 1959." "Tartuffe" was first performed at Versailles before King Louis XIV and was later banned in Paris. It tells the story of "Tartuffe," a homeless man taken in by the wealthy Orgon. It isn't long before Tartuffe has conned Orgon and his family as they refuse to see what's as plain as the nose on their face that Tartuffe is an imposter – a grasping schemer intent on the family's fortune and more. "There are family problems, generations who cannot agree, fools who are admired, persons of reason who are ignored and at the center of the play is a charming hypocrite – Tartuffe," Heffernan says. It's also extremely funny. "It's hysterically funny," Heffernan said. "It's a classic piece of literature that has been translated well into English. "There are certain illogical moments that all the actors have to do is stand still and deliver the lines and the language takes care of everything else. It's not slapstick - it doesn't need that to convey the message and be funny at the same time." John Flotho plays the title character of Tartuffe, while Michael Rubke is Orgon. Other cast members include Janae Hohbein, Elmire; Andrea Enger, Dorine; Samantha Rieff, Mariane; Luke Mitchell, Valere; Nick Juelsguard, Cleante; Madison Welterlen, Damis; Tamara White, Pernelle; Caleb Woodley, M. Loyal; Matt Meldrem, Officer; and Heather Smith, Flipote. "Tartuffe" will be presented Nov. 6-9 in Fisher Theater. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for students and children and are available at the Iowa State Center Ticket office at 515-294-2479 and through TicketMaster.