SHELTON - Valley Shakespeare Festival is making a brief departure from the works of its namesake for its next “Theater in the Bar” production with Moliere’s bawdy comedy “Tartuffe.”
Fans of VSF are well-acquainted with the way the company’s Artistic Director Tom Simonetti likes to adapt the classics for a contemporary audience while retaining the work’s authentic language.
“Tartuffe” presented a special challenge as it was not only written in the 17th century, but also in Moliere’s native French.
Many English translations have been published in the subsequent 350-plus years and, after much research, Simonetti created the version audiences will enjoy on March 10 and 11 at Porky’s Café, 50 Center St.
“Tartuffe” presented a special challenge as it was not only written in the 17th century, but also in Moliere’s native French.
Many English translations have been published in the subsequent 350-plus years and, after much research, Simonetti created the version audiences will enjoy on March 10 and 11 at Porky’s Café, 50 Center St.
Jeremy Funke, VSF’s perennial and lovable Ebenezer Scrooge will play the title role, the unscrupulous lecher and houseguest- from - Hell, Tartuffe, who will stop at nothing to take his host for all he is worth.
Dave Herigstad, last seen in the company’s summer production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as Oberon, the all-powerful King of the Faeries, will do a “180” and portray Orgon, Tartuffe’s brainwashed host who is feeling his age and looking for redemption anywhere he can find it.
Jessica Breda, a long time VSF favorite who has played multiple roles with the company, will take on Dorine in “Tartuffe,” the out-spoken, feisty, no-nonsense maid to Orgon’s wife, and the only one with the finesse and courage to save her employers from certain devastation.
Audiences will no doubt recognize many other returning cast members as well as meet some new ones in Valley Shakespeare Festival’s “Tartuffe,” an irreverent and hilarious look at family, morals, religion, and all the usual issues faced by families throughout the ages.
Tickets are $20 per person for table seats and $15 per person for floor seats and are available for purchase online at www.vsfestival.org or by phone by calling 203-513-9446.
This is a press release from Valley Shakespeare Festival, a non-profit theater company dedicated to bringing free and low-cost theater to the communities of the lower Naugatuck Valley.
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