"TARTUFFE" OPENS TONIGHT ON GSC STAGE |
(02/22/2012) |
Story and Photo by Drew Moody For the Hur Herald "Tartuffe" is a 17th Century French play with quite contemporary themes, particularly when considering the current state of American culture and politics. Thankfully, it's creator, Molière, set the stage in a full-blown comedic context, interlaced with seriousness. It plays perfectly to 21st Century audiences with deceit, manipulation, lust, wealth, religious hypocrisy, cleavage, and family in-fighting being front and center stage. The two act play takes place in the home of Orgon and Elmire, and their children. GSC professor Gary Morris is Orgon; Whitney Stalnaker plays his wife, Elmire.
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Elmire, played by Whitney Stalnaker, is shocked when Orgon's mother, comes to visit and immediately stirs up trouble, and the family takes in Tartuffe (Jace Parker) who they believe to be a pious servant of God...who turns out to be a charlatan. Orgon, blind to the character flaws of their guest, decides his daughter Mariane (Brittany Ferfuson) is going to marry Tartuffe, except she's already in love with another man. Of the characters, a servant girl, Dorine, (played magnificently by Samantha Wolford), seems to have her wits about her more than anyone. The play is a romp through the genius insight of a 17th century playwrite, with themes that haven't changed despite the passing of almost 350 years. The play's three-day run begins tonight on the Glenville State College administration building stage. Curtain time is 7 p.m. Admission to this PG-rated production, directed by Dennis Wemm, is free for all students. Non-Student entry is $3. |