Moliere’s 17th-century satire given 1990s setting
UTC Theatre presents ‘Tartuffe’
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Theatre Company will present the classic French comedy “Tartuffe” staged with a modern twist.
The play opens Tuesday, Nov. 13, continuing through Nov. 17. Jean Baptiste Moliere’s work has been translated by Christopher Hampton. While keeping the show’s dialogue in classic verse, the production is set in what director Blake Harris describes as “1990s gospel realness.”
The play focuses on one family’s entanglement with a charlatan houseguest, Tartuffe, who will be played by Alex Walker.
Orgon is a wealthy man who sees Tartuffe as a possible suitor for his daughter. Orgon’s family desperately tries to shake some sense in him once he invites hypocritical Tartuffe into their home. Everyone can see through Tartuffe’s theatrical sanctimony, but can they get the head of the household to see through his crazy antics before they lose everything?
In addition to Walker, the cast includes Evans Jarnefeldt, Hailey White, Linsey Watkins, D’Andre Anderson, Meg Phinney, Jesse Wilyat, Autumn Hemmelgarn, Blaine Lindsay, Tate Runyon, Julia Walker, Maggie Weaver and Mark Elich.
Guest director Harris is a UTC alumnus who recently graduated from California Institute of the Arts with an MFA in theater directing.
“The foundation for my entire theater process was formed here,” says Harris of his return to UTC. “It feels very full circle to have the opportunity to be back and offer students and audiences a glimpse at the type of work I’m currently making in Los Angeles.
“I think this production will offer a clearer critique of the dangers of blind belief in systemic structures and celebrity,” he says. “It feels very timely in this political and social climate, but it’s ultimately about dealing with the comedy of being human and the risks we all take in trusting someone.”
The creative team includes Samantha Burns, set design; Chalise Ludlow, costume design; and Jeff Davis, lighting design and technical direction.
Tickets can be purchased at the UTC Fine Arts Center box office or online at www. utc.edu/theatre.