© Oak Park Journal
The Play begins with quick witty dialogue and the wit continues
throughout.
© Oak Park Journal
Tartuffe
by Molière
Showing until April 30, 2006
review by Ed Vincent
Molière was a bit of an iconoclast in his day and threw barbs of
humor and irony here and there. He may have been very close
to our current "South Park" creators in terms of outlook and
comedy. He was a favorite of the French King and at times
tried even his royal loyalties. The play 'Tartuffe' hit close to
home and for a time was banned in Paris. Many of the works
of Molière made fun of actual contemporaries, many in positions
of power and influence.
This production is semi-contemporary, instead of Molière's
time and location we are set in the Southern portion of the
United States and in the 1930's. The translation from French
does a wonderful job of keeping to true to both the rhyme and
tempo of the original intent.
The setting and costumes are fun, bawdy, and eye catching.
The living room area of the Mills House is tremendous and
inviting. The production is limited to about 30 seats and it
is therefore intimate and familiar. You might notice the eyes
of another viewer darting back and forth as the dialogue
picks up here and there. It was a grand experience with
memorable portrayals all around.
There were no weak links in this chain of talent. Lanny
Lutz should get an award for the low life scoundrel that
he brings to life as Tartuffe. Lanny reminded me of Burt
Lancaster in Elmer Gantry, with a healthy portion of
W.C. Fields thrown in for fun.
Tartuffe speaks; "But men like me burn with a hidden flame,
and secrecy is for ever assured. The care which we take of our
own reputation is a warrant to the woman who accepts our heart, that she will find love without scandal, and pleasure without fear."
If he was selling used cars you might sign the contract without
even starting the engine. At the end of the performance people
were lining up to get subscription tickets for the season-a wise
choice.
The irony and talent of the writing is genius and the performance
by this cast is top notch. I could see it again many times and
invite all readers to get a ticket and have some fun.
Tartuffe by Moliere, directed by David Mink, March 30 to
April 30, 2006. Thursdays thru Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays
at 4pm, Pleasant Home, 217 South Home Avenue, Oak Park. Tickets $17-$25, group discounts available. Sponsored in part
by Community Bank Oak Park River Forest.
Orgon, played by Kevin Bry, Sarah Camargo as Bailiff, Cleante played by Emily Coffin, T. Patrick Halley as Damis, Mme.
Pernelle played by Judith Hoppe,Chris Julun as Valere, Mariane played by Margaret Katch, Lanny Lutz (member Actor's Equity)
as Tartuffe, Loyal played by Dan Marco, Serena Vesper as Elmire, Dorine played by Alice Wedoff. Stage Manager, Robert Behr; Lighting Design, Jeremy Getz, Costume Design, JoEllen Koppenaal.
© Oak Park Journal
Oak Park Festival Theatre Presents Tartuffe by Molière
Pleasant Home, 217 S. Home Avenue, Oak Park, IL
Sponsored in part by Community Bank Oak Park River Forest
What’s New? - Oak Park Festival Theatre presents its historic first indoor production of a classic, translated from the original French by Richard Wilbur, staged in the 1930’s South.
Synopsis - Tartuffe is a deep comedy in rhymed verse – one of Molière’s most popular. The comedy follows the plight of Orgon, a middle-aged, bourgeois prude who has remarried a much younger and beautiful wife. Tartuffe has arrived on the scene, intent to swindle Orgon and seduce Orgon’s pretty and bored wife.
Director - David Mink, who is celebrating 42 years as a theatre professional(director, producer, actor) staged last year’s critically acclaimed All My Sons for Oak Park Festival Theatre. He has directed
at Drury Lane Theatre Evergreen Park, Shady Lane Playhouse in Marengo, IL, won two Jefferson Awards, appeared in over 100 productions, including many at the Goodman, National Jewish, the
various Drury Lanes, Victory Gardens, and numerous theatres across
the country. David is co-owner of Redmink Productions and lives in Chicago.
Cast - Lanny Lutz - Tartuffe; Kevin Bry - Orgon; Serena Vesper – Elmire; Judith Hoppe - Mme Pernelle; T. Patrick Halley - Damis; Alice Wedoff - Dorine; Margaret Katch - Mariane; Chris Julun – Valere; Emily Coffin - Cleante; Dan Marco - Loyal; Sarah Camargo - Bailiff
Artistic Staff David Mink, Director; Robert Behr, Stage Manager; JoEllen Koppenaal, Costume Designer; Producers - Joyce Porter, Jessie Affelder, Galen Gockel, and Lanny Lutz; Sponsored in part by Community Bank Oak Park River Forest
Theatre - OPFT is a professional theatre company, in its 31st year presenting Shakespeare and classics. In the past, its productions were staged in pastoral outdoor Austin Gardens Park in Oak Park, IL. This year, the Company has expanded to include indoor plays, the family Sunday Storytelling Series, and touring shows such as Classics Connections – Shakespeare: Scenes, Sonnets and Songs.
Dates - March 30 thru April 30; performances Thurs. thru Saturdays 7:30pm, Sundays at 4pm
Tickets - $17-$25 – group discounts available. Available online at Theatermania.com, or call 708-445-4440 for reservations
Oak Park Festival Theatre, P. O. Box 4114, Oak Park, IL 60303
708) 445-4440 www.oakparkfestival.com
© Oak Park Journal
published by Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
STARSHIP SUBS, Soups, Catering, and more...