JUNE 28 AND 29 AT 7PM

Directed by Bill Kershner

In Molière’s satirical comedy Tartuffe, a wealthy patriarch named Orgon is duped by a religious con artist who charms his way into the family home. Blinded by devotion, Orgon attempts to disinherit his children and force his daughter into marriage with the imposter. When the fraud is finally exposed through a clever sting operation orchestrated by Orgon's wife, the hypocrite uses legal loopholes to steal the estate and evict the family. Ultimately, the trickster is arrested by the King's intervention, exposing his crimes and saving the family from ruin.

CHARACTERS

The Primary Household

• Tartuffe: The story’s titular villain and religious hypocrite. He is a penniless con man who poses as a pious, impoverished holy man to manipulate his way into Orgon's home, while secretly lusting after Elmire.

• Orgon: The wealthy master of the house. Despite his prior status and service, he falls completely under Tartuffe's spell, prioritizing the impostor's judgment over the well-being of his own family.

• Elmire: Orgon’s loyal, poised, and intelligent wife. She becomes the prime target of Tartuffe’s romantic advances and ultimately orchestrates the trap to expose his hypocrisy to Orgon.

The Voice of Reason

• Cléante: Elmire’s brother. He serves as the intellectual and calm voice of reason throughout the play, often pointing out the dangerous extremes of religious fanaticism.

• Dorine: The outspoken, witty household maid. Though technically a servant, she does not hesitate to voice her mind, push back against Orgon's absurd demands, and fiercely defend the younger lovers.

The Young Lovers

• Mariane: Orgon’s daughter. She is obedient, easily intimidated by her father, and terrified at the prospect of being forced to marry Tartuffe instead of her true love.

• Valère: Mariane's devoted but emotionally volatile suitor. Both young lovers are headstrong and initially fail to communicate effectively without Dorine's help.

The Supporting Cast

• Madame Pernelle: Orgon’s mother. She is self-righteous and highly critical of everyone in the house, remaining stubbornly deluded by Tartuffe's "piety" until the very end.

• Damis: Orgon’s hotheaded son. His intense hatred for Tartuffe leads him to make rash accusations that backfire and play right into Tartuffe's manipulative hands.

• Monsieur Loyal: A bailiff who arrives with polite, cheerful politeness to serve the family with eviction papers.

• The Officer: A royal official who arrives late in the play to resolve the conflict.