Keith Davis, 4/8/2009
Photo by Sheryl Sinkow
Corey Whelihan '10 plays Tartuffe and Nikki Legaux '10 plays Dorine in the Ithaca College Theatre production of 'Tartuffe' beginning April 21.
Photo by Sheryl Sinkow
Pictured are Nikki Legaux '10, Matt Gall '09 and Jonelle Robinson '10.
ITHACA, NY — Hailed as one of Moliere’s most entertaining and enduring plays, “Tartuffe” is the comic story of a scheming hypocrite who cons a family into believing he is a pious man in order to steal their fortune. Professor Greg Bostwick will direct the Ithaca College Theatre production of this classic French drama. Performances will be offered at 8 p.m. on April 21 and 23–25. Matinee performances will be offered at 2 p.m. on April 25 and 26. All performances will be held in the Hoerner Theater in Dillingham Center on the Ithaca College campus.
Ticket prices range from $4.50 to $10 and can be purchased at the Ithaca College Ticket Office in Dillingham Center or by calling (607) 274-3224. Tickets may also be purchased by visiting the Ticket Center by calling (607) 273-4497, or visiting www.ithacaevents.com.
Originally written and performed in 1664, “Tartuffe” was offensive enough to be banned by the French monarch at the time, Louis XIV. The Ithaca College Theatre production has transported “Tartuffe” to 1830s Louisiana and views this scathing social satire through the lens of the idiosyncratic race relations of that time and place. All people of color in Louisiana lived under heavy law and restriction, but those who had come from France when Louisiana was still a French colony – known as “free people of color” – were treated differently than slaves from Haiti and the West Indies. Though they were considered citizens, the free people of color could not vote; a black woman could have a white male protector but they were not allowed to marry. Slaves, on the other hand, had no rights and were considered the property of their owners, as was the case in much of the rest of the South at that time. Bostwick has imagined a “Tartuffe” where the charlatan wreaks havoc on a wealthy family with ties that interweave race and privilege, shedding light on a particular moment in American history.
The cast of “Tartuffe” includes Corey Whelihan ’10 as Tartuffe, Ali Rivera ’09 as Mme. Pernelle, Matt Gall ’09 as Orgon, Jonelle Robinson ’10 as Elmire, Nick Barb ’11 as Damis, Angelica Duncan ’09 as Mariane, Mario Pabon ’09 as Valere, Max Lawrence ’09 as Cleante, Nikki Legaux ’10 as Dorine, John X. Miller ’09 as Loyal, Marcin Pawlikiewicz ’10 as Officer, Katherine Turner ’12 as Flipote and Denzel Edmondson ’12 as Laurent.
In addition to Bostwick, the creative team includes scenic designer Alexander Woodward ’09, costume design Allison Gentry ’09, lighting designer Laura Krassowski ’09, technical director Joe DiFanzo ’09, stage manager Jennifer O’Connor ’10 and sound designer Don Tindall, assistant professor of theatre arts. Jasmine Francois ’10 and Jim Utz, assistant professor of theatre arts, are the dramaturges.
A nationally recognized professional theatre training program, the Department of Theatre Arts attracts students from across the United States. Through Ithaca College Theatre and the production season, undergraduate students present all aspects of theater in a professional model. Ithaca College Theatre has been a cultural resource for Tompkins County and the region for more than 70 years.
Originally published in News Releases: Ithaca College Theatre To Present Moliere's 'Tartuffe'.
