By David Seaman | Echo
Sometimes the best comedies relate complicated truths, things the characters (and the audience) don't want to confront. Hypocrisy, artificiality, immaturity: all of these are present in "Tartuffe," a raucous 17th century French comedy and the latest production from Taylor University Theatre.
Written by playwright Molière in 1664, "Tartuffe" follows a religious hypocrite and his manipulation of a rich man's family. Made accessible to the audience under the direction of Tracy Manning, "Tartuffe" encourages its actors to overact their characters, using large and dramatic gestures.
Even with a run time of around two and a half hours there's not a dull moment. Truly an actor's showcase, the performers excel in their performances. Junior Zach Cook steals the show as the clueless head of the household Orgon, totally under the influence of religious hack and and houseguest Tartuffe's piety while everyone else is immune. His puffed-up musical entrances are a definite highlight.
Junior Morgan Turner plays along well as Orgon's wife Elmire, and junior Tamara Peachy entertainingly annoys as the haughty and oblivious Madame Pernelle. Junior Carter Perry generates big laughs as the stupid and immature son Damis. Meanwhile freshman Jenna VanWeelden evokes little sympathy as spoiled daughter Mariane. The rest of the cast, particularly sophomore Alexis Colon as maid Dorine and senior Keith Cantrell as the rational brother Cléante, provide vital supporting roles.
Senior Lucas Sweitzer commands the stage as the title character. Although not entering until the play's midpoint, the talk surrounding the character's sleazy actions builds up the hype until the manipulator arrives in all his glory (or lack of). And Sweitzer does not disappoint: his Tartuffe is smarmy, wormy and disgusting, oozing insincerity at every turn.
His performance emphasizes to the audience how stupid and shallow a person can be to believe in his lies. Viewing his transparent religious attitudes and lecherous attempted liaisons with Elmire gives the audience more reason to have delightful distaste in the characters. How can some people be so stupid? Apparently these people are, and the audience is encouraged to laugh at their idiocy and marvel in the consequences that follow.
Modern touches added to the production bring the play to the 21st century. An indie dance soundtrack highlights the fun and absurdity of the play, and flashing lights complement chase sequences.
The set is a character in its own right: a mix of Dr. Seuss and a 1950s penthouse, complete with a crazy purple glass cup chandelier. It watches the wacky proceedings and interacts at unexpected moments. Characters' costumes look like they came straight out of the Capitol in "The Hunger Games" with crazy hair, caked-on makeup and twisty beards.
The delicious irony of the play reveals that while Tartuffe truly is an awful, despicable character, the other characters aren't much better. For all the talk of virtue, no one is virtuous. Orgon is aggravating in his denial of Tartuffe's actions and extremely prideful; Pernelle acts superficial and haughty; Dorine is a terrible gossip and Mariane and Damis are annoying and immature.
Only the characters of Cléante and Valere, Mariane's betrothed, come off as normal characters, but in the end, they are hypocrites like the rest. It's wonderful to watch the characters implode, and even though the play ends on a happy note, no one's sins are redeemed. That may seem terrible for any other play, but in "Tartuffe" you're too busy laughing to care.
"Tartuffe" runs this Friday and Saturday on Nov. 14-15 and Nov. 21-22 at 8 p.m. and the Sundays of Nov. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m. at Mitchell Theatre. Tickets are $7 for Taylor students and $10 for faculty. For the general public, tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and $8 for seniors. Tickets are available at the Mitchell Theatre Box Office or by contacting the office at boxoffice@taylor.edu or 765-998-5289.
