Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Tartuffe, Or The Imposter, Diane C. Merchant, Tim Phipps, Rebecca M. Baker

Theatre Productions

Molière mixes morals, manners, and mischief in this, his laughter-filled farce. Orgon is duped by Tartuffe, a religious imposter, but finally through several hilarious situations, Orgon is made to see Tartuffe as the “wolf in sheep’s clothing” that he is. Without a doubt, this is considered Molière’s masterpiece!

The Imaginary Invalid, Robert Clements

Theatre Productions

The famous hypochondriac in this classic farce not only complains of a million imaginary ills, but also of his astronomical medical bills. If he marries his daughter to a doctor, he reasons, he will have free medical care. He chooses a double-Latin-talking numskull without consulting the daughter, who is already smitten by another. The inventive maid exposes the doctor and his father as charlatans and demonstrates to the master that his second wife loves his money, not him. Thus are truth and love triumphant and all troubles, real and imaginary, relieved by laughter.

The Miser, Mischelle L. Mcintosh

Theatre Productions

The plot concerns the classic conflict of love and money. The miser Harpagon wishes his daughter Elise to marry a wealthy old man, Anselme, who will accept her without a dowry, but she loves the penniless Valère. Harpagon himself has set his eye on young, impoverished Mariane, whom his son Cléante also loves. Much of the play’s action focuses on Harpagon’s stinginess. Valère and Mariane are revealed to be Anselme’s long-lost children, and they are happily paired with the miser’s son and daughter by the play’s end, after Harpagon insists that Anselme pay for both weddings.

Although The Miser is …