(l to r) Steven Epp (Tartuffe), Nathan Keepers (Laurent), and Sofia Jean Gomez (Elmire) perform in a provocative revival of Molière’s Tartuffe, a dark comedy about religious hypocrisy. Photo courtesy of kevinberne.com
TARTUFFE: Written by Molière. Adapted by David Ball, Directed by Dominique Serrand. Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison Street @ Shattuck, Berkeley, CA 94704. (510) 647-2949 or www.berkeleyrep.org. March 13 – April 12, 2015
Moliere’s TARTUFFE a solid hit at Berkeley Rep [rating:5]
The standing ovation on opening night of Moliere’s Tartuffe was totally earned by this latest incarnation of this 17th century comedy that was originally banned after its 1664 opening at the Palace of Versailles for the court of Louis XIV. It earned its banishment from the stage for its irreverent treatment of the Catholic Church, and the scathing commentary on pious hypocrisy in general. There have been numerous adaptations and revisions of the play in the intervening years.
The most widely used script is the translation into English verse by Richard Wilber that was locally staged by Berkeley Rep in 1984 and the Santa Rosa 6th Street Playhouse in 2010. The present latest adaptation by David Ball was first performed by the South Coast Repertory under the direction the legendary Dominique Serrand and staring the inimitable Steven Epp. They have been artistic cohorts for 25 years beginning with the famous, now defunct, Theatre Lejune of Minneapolis that “was known for its visually rich, highly physical style of theatre, derived from clown, mime, dance and opera. The theatre’s reputation also stemmed from their reinvented classics and their productions of highly ambitious original work.” They have worked together numerous times and this latest collaboration equals or surpasses their previous outings.
“The play’s the thing” aphorism takes second place to the stylized acting and staging that incorporates comedy, farce, commedia dell’arte techniques, tableaus and broad acting on a magnificent set with minimal furniture that is adroitly moved by the cast seamlessly changing scenes without interrupting the flow of the story.
Do not be misled, Moliere’s story is as fresh and cogent today as it was in 1664 but in our permissive society no censorship would be forthcoming. Tartuffe is a moralistic attack on religious hypocrisy and its potential disastrous effect on those who embrace it. Originally written in five acts, the two hours and 20 minute running time (two acts with intermission) seems like much less and the opening night audience thoroughly enjoyed it.
A capsule summary: Tartuffe (Steven Epp) is the story of a man who ingratiates himself into Orgon’s (Luverne Seifert) rich family by appearing saintly. Orgon is on the verge of marrying off his daughter Marianne (Lenne Klingaman), who is in love with young handsome Valère (Christopher Carley) to Tartuffe the holier-then-thou hypocritical fake. Orgon even gives away his house and fortune to Tartuffe, disowns his son his son Damis (Brian Hostenske), disregards this level-headed his brother-in-law Cleante (Gregory Linington), and doubts that the Tartuffe attempted to seduce his wife Elmira (Sofia Jean Gomez). He also silences Dorine (Suzanne Warmanen) housemaid and confidant of Marianne who attempts to intercede. Alas, knowledge comes too late, but never fear before the end of the play, royal intervention solves all the problems.
Great story but it is the acting and directing that is magnificent. Even though Steven Epp gets, and earns, top billing the other main characters are superb. The always inventive director Serrand has provided Tartuffe with two servants, rather than one, who silently provide and move props and are used to execute hilarious tableaus.
(l to r) Steven Epp (Tartuffe), Nathan Keepers (Laurent), and Sofia Jean Gomez (Elmire) perform in a provocative revival of Molière’s Tartuffe, a dark comedy about religious hypocrisy. Photo courtesy of kevinberne.com
Tartuffe makes his entrance late in the play and Suzanne Warmanen as Dorine and Luverne Seifert triumphantly dominate the first act. Sofia Jean Gomez exudes sexually excitement in her seduction scene with Tartuffe and beautiful ingenue Lenne Klingaman milks the touching break-up scene with her true love Valere to perfection. Christopher Carley, dressed in a flower-patterned suit (costumes by Sonya Berlovitz ) brings the house down with his display of thwarted love. One cannot say enough about the superlative performing of Steven Epp. He seductively rolls on the floor, exuding sexual innuendo yet feels perfectly at home being stretched on a wooden cross.
This performance should not be missed.
CAST: Christopher Carley (Valere), Steven Epp (Tartuffe), Sofia Jean Gomez (Elmire), Brian Hostenske (Damis), Nathan Keepers (Laurent), Michael Uy Kelly (Ensemble), Lenne Klingaman (Mariane), Maria A Leigh (Ensemble), Gregory Linington (Cleante), Becca Lustgarten (Ensemble), Michael Manuel (Madame Pernelle/Officer), Todd Pivetti (Ensemble), Luverne Seifert (Orgon), and Suzanne Warmanen (Dorine).
CREATIVE TEAM: Tom Buderwitz (co-scenic designer), Sonya Berlovitz (costume designer), Marcus Dilliard (lighting designer), Michael Suenkel (stage manager)and Corinne Carrillo (sound designer).
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of www.theathreworldinternetmagazine.com
