MOLIERE'S CRISP COMEDY "TARTUFFE" MAY BE 362 YEARS OLD, BUT THE ROGUE THEATRE MAKES IT FEEL OVEN FRESH

By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com

photo by Tim Fuller

The villainous Tartuffe (Matt Walley) tries to work his selfish charms on Elmire (Sophie Gibson-Rush).

 

First performed in 1664, Moliere's “Tartuffe” couldn't seem more timely if it was first performed last week. The charming Rogue Theatre production directed by Joseph McGrath, working from the translation by Richard Wilbur, is an immediate theatrical delight.

The combination of stage settings, lighting, costumes, wigs and harpsichord accompaniment that compliments Moliere's dialogue written completely in rhyming couplets create a whimsical atmosphere full of Baroque joy and juice.

Not to give away the ending, but Tartuffe is a charlatan masquerading as a Christian who is later caught and disgraced by a sexual escapade. This piece of classic theater may have been written 362 years ago but the title could easily be updated from “Tartuffe” to “Trump.”

The title role of Tartuffe is played by Rogue veteran Matt Walley wearing a black coat of religious piety, always conniving darker plans even as he affects an attitude of devout service to the Lord.

Determined to reveal this scoundrel's true intentions is a delightful Chelsea Bowdren as Dorine, the animated maid who doesn't trust Tatuffe any farther than she can throw him.

The plot's pivot point is Orgon (Aaron Shand), master of an estate much admired by Tartuffe. He also admires Orgon's wife Elmire (Sophie Gibson-Rush).

Shand's performance travels the arc of complex character change from the innocent Christian who believes in Tartuffe's goodness to the crushed and angry landowner realizing too late that Tartuffe is a scoundrel who just bamboozled Orgon out of all his property and wealth.

In that sense the play becomes a duet of intention between defenseless innocence and arrogant guile.

Adding shades of depth in supporting roles are Bryn Booth as Mariane, the daughter of Orgon, very much in love with noble Valere (Hunter Hnat). Christopher Pankratz is Cleante, Orgon's brother in law, while Cynthia Meier sets a defiant tone as Mme. Pernelle, Orgon's angry mother, determined to defend Tartuffe to her family.

While Moliere's rhymed couplets do bring a certain artificial quality to the conversation, save some of your attention for those rhymes. Lots of them are remarkably clever.

“Tartuffe” runs through Sept. 28 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at7:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., in the Historic Y, 300 E. University Blvd. Tickets are $49; student rush (when available) $15 with student ID.

Running time is 2 hours 10 minutes, including a 10 minute intermission. For details and reservations, 520-551-2053, or visit TheRogueTheatre.org