Saint Michael’s College’s spring mainstage play is a modern version of Moliere’s “Tartuffe”

Moliere’s 17th-century comedy “Tartuffe” is getting the 21st-century treatment at Saint Michael’s College this spring. 

The satire on religious hypocrisy was initially banned in France after its debut, but themes from the 1660’s play remain relevant centuries later, producers at the College say. Saint Michael’s College’s Department of Fine Arts: Theatre will present a slimmed-down version of “Tartuffe,” or “The Imposter,” as its mainstage play, featuring a contemporary setting and contemporary music to make it even more accessible to today’s audiences.  

The 17th century play “Tartuffe” will get a 21st century makeover for Saint Michael’s College’s springtime Mainstage Theatre performance. (Photo by Andy Duback)

Performances will take place April 9 to 12 at 7 p.m. in the College’s McCarthy Arts Center Theatre. The events are all free and open to the public.  

The character of Tartuffe is a conman and criminal who poses as a saintly person to try to trick an innocent and foolish man into giving Tartuffe everything the man knows and loves. Originally written in 1664, “Tartuffe” rocked the world of the French court when it was first performed because of its seeming indictment of religious extremism. The play was banned for several years until Moliere revised his work and presented it again in 1669.

“The play is shockingly relevant all these years later when we see how easily people can be manipulated and taken advantage of in the name of religion,” said Saint Michael’s Acting Instructor Melissa Lourie, the play’s director. “Because it is a comedy, all’s well that ends well – evildoers are punished, and lovers reunited – but not before Moliere has mercilessly examined the evil that men can commit in the guise of religious fervor and the dangers that imperil those who would believe only what they choose to believe despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary.” 

The 17th century play “Tartuffe” will get a 21st century makeover for Saint Michael’s College’s springtime Mainstage Theatre performance. (Photo by Andy Duback)

Joining a cast of Saint Michael’s students, alumnus and guest artist Rick Ames ’95 will play the title role of Tartuffe. Fellow guest artist Paul Ugalde will play the role of Orgon, Tartuffe’s unwitting target. 

The play is being directed by Lourie, who is also the Artistic Director of Middlebury Acting Company, and guest artist Margo Whitcomb. Theatre Professor Peter Harrigan is designing contemporary costumes for the production, and fellow Theatre Professor John Devlin is designing the sets and lighting.

More information about the Mainstage Theatre performance of “Tartuffe” can be found here.>> 

View more photos of the play by Andy Duback from a recent rehearsal: