INDIANAPOLIS —
Butler Theatre presents a contemporary version of Moliere’s “Tartuffe” beginning Wednesday in Lilly Hall Studio Theatre 168.
Previews are at 8 p.m. Wednesday and Feb. 16. Mainstage productions are 8 p.m. Feb. 17 through 18 and 23 through 25, and 2 p.m. Feb. 19 and 26.
Tickets are available by calling (317) 940-9247 or using the ticket reservation form at www.butler.edu/theatre/current-season/reservations.
Theatre Department Chair William Fisher, who is directing this show, said the Richard Wilbur translation preserves the rhymed couplets and that Tartuffe is still the charlatan and hypocrite he’s been since Moliere created the character in 1669.
But rather than set the piece as a French costume drama, the Butler Theatre production takes place today, in the home of an upper-middle-class family, in a city somewhere near the American Bible Belt.
“One of the things that’s really important to me is that theater is always contemporary,” Fisher said. “The story of Tartuffe is a story that’s relevant today. The structure of the language is already at a level of theatrical artifice, and by setting it in today’s world, the students – and the audience – feel closer to the subject and can have more fun with it. Surely we would never fall prey to false prophets – or to false profits.”
“Tartuffe,” sometimes subtitled “The Hypocrite” or “The Imposter,” tells the story of Orgon, who becomes a devoted follower of Tartuffe’s. Tartuffe is a fraudulent religious leader, but Orgon is so enraptured that he pledges his daughter’s hand and eventually all of his worldly goods to him. By the time Orgon’s family reveals Tartuffe’s true self, all is lost. Who can save the day?
Fisher said the play asks the questions: What is the power of the societal lens? How do we participate in our own deceptions? When are we the authors of our own love and our own suffering?
He said that among the intriguing aspects of putting together this production has been working with student-actors of varying experience levels, speaking rhymed verse.
“They don’t want to sound false, or what they think sounds false,” he said. “So one of the challenges becomes how to use the structure and music of the verse and stay true to the meaning and authenticity of the language. ‘Tartuffe’ is Moliere’s best known and most often produced comedies, and for very good reason. Our production brings some extra special twists.”
Theater
Butler Theatre to present version of ‘Tartuffe’ starting Wednesday
- Theater
-
-
Community Theatre concludes season with ‘Social Security’
Community Theatre of Terre Haute’s main stage season finale opens this Friday, with the hit Broadway comedy “Social Security,” directed by Sonni Crawford.
-
Community Theatre to stage auditions for ‘8: The Play’
Community Theatre of Terre Haute will stage auditions for its summer performance at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Titled “8: The Play,” this readers-theater play is a peek inside the trial of Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the federal court case for marriage of homosexual couples.
-
Theater listings: May 23, 2013
May 31-June 29 — “ZANNA DON’T,” at Theatre on the Square Main Stage, Indianapolis, times vary. Tickets: $25, $20 seniors/students/active-duty military, www.tots.org.July 5-July 27 — “FLESH & BLOOD,” at Theatre on the Square Main Stage, Indianapolis, times vary. Tickets: $25, $20 seniors/students/active-duty military, www.tots.org.
-
Theater listings: May 16, 2013
Today-June 1 — “GREATER TUNA,” at Myers Dinner Theatre, Hillsboro. Dates and times vary. Tickets: dinner and show $36 and $25 students, show only $20, 765-798-4902, ext. 2.
-
Theater listings, May 9, 2013
Today-Saturday — “INTO THE WOODS,” at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, Carmel, 7 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $44 adults, $34 ages 17 and younger.
-
Murder on ‘Disoriented Express’ on track for May 31
There’s been a murder on the Disoriented Express, and a variety of criminal minds have been called in to help — Sherlock Holmes, Charlie Chan, Lieutenant Columbo, Barney Fife and even Charlie’s Angels.
Will they solve the crime first or will you? -
TH North to stage student-written play on May 9
Terre Haute North Vigo High School students will present an original black box-style theater production of “Speak Now” at 6:30 p.m. on May 9 at the school’s auditorium.
-
Shawnee Theatre’s 54th season to debut with musical review ‘The Taffetas’ on June 13
The Shawnee Theatre of Bloomfield will open its 54th season with the 1950’s musical review, “The Taffetas!” on June 13.
-
Auditions May 20-21 for ‘The Wizard of Oz’
The Maple Avenue Players plan to hold auditions at 7 p.m. May 20 and 21 in the Family Life Center at 12th Street and Maple Avenue in Terre Haute for a summer production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
-
Summer theater workshops at Lincoln Trail accepting registrations
Registration is under way for Lincoln Trail College’s Children’s Summer Theater.
The theater workshop will be conducted from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, June 3 to 28. Students entering grades one through nine this fall are invited to audition for roles in this summer’s production, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Performances will be at 7 p.m. June 28 and 29. -
Scenes from Robin Hood adaptation, “The Untold Story of Little John” April 21 at Children’s Museum
We all know the story of Robin Hood, the man who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor and defeated the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, freeing his people from the tyrannical reign of Prince John. We also know how this could not have been accomplished without Little John, Robin Hood’s loyal side-kick who stayed by him through thick and thin. But do we know what happened next?
-
ISU play concentrates on river theme
The Indiana State University theater department continues its presentation of “Spoon River Anthology” today through Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m. each day in the Dreiser Hall Theater. Tickets must be purchased in advance from the New Theater ticket office.
-
Tickets to ISU’s presentation of Spoon River Anthology go on sale April 8
The Indiana State University theater department will present “Spoon River Anthology” April 10-13 beginning at 7:30 p.m. each day in the Dreiser Hall Theater.
-
‘Red Velvet Cake War’ to open Friday at Community Theatre
Community Theatre of Terre Haute’s next offering, “The Red Velvet Cake War” is set to open Friday, with additional performances on Saturday, Sunday and April 12-14.
-
Theater/Film Listings: March 28, 2013
Today-May 12 — “MENOPAUSE: THE MUSICAL,” at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis. Tickets: $37.50 to $62.50, 317-872-9664.
-
Theater listings: March 21, 2013
Ticket Sales
April 26-May 11 — “INTO THE WOODS,” at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, Carmel, 7 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $44 adults, $34 17 and younger. -
'Quartet' at Honey Creek West 8 March 1
The comedy/drama “Quartet” opens March 1 in Honey Creek West 8 behind Honey Creek Mall in Terre Haute. Shows are at 7:40 and 10:05 p.m.
-
New Play Festival continues through Saturday at Indiana State
The Indiana State University theater department is hosting its New Play Festival through Saturday. The department will stage three new productions during the annual showcase, themed “Intriguing Journeys.”
- THEATER: Feb. 14, 2013
-
Parke Players to present Winter Follies variety show Saturday
Parke Players will present the fifth annual Winter Follies variety show at 7 p.m. Saturday at the historic Ritz Theater in Rockville.
-
Theater listings: Jan. 24, 2013
Today-Saturday — “OFFICE HOURS,” at Theatre on the Square, Indianapolis. Tickets: $25 adults and $20 seniors, students and active military, 317-685-8687.
Today-Feb. 3 — “ARSENIC & OLD LACE,” at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis. Tickets: $37.50 to $62.50, 317-872-9664. -
Theater listing: Jan. 17, 2013
Today-Sunday — “JERSEY BOYS,” at Old National Centre, Indianapolis, 7:30 p.m., today, 8 p.m. Friday and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Tuesday-Jan. 27 shows canceled, and tickets can be exchanged through original purchase point. Call 800-793-7469.
Today-Jan. 26 — “OFFICE HOURS,” at Theatre on the Square, Indianapolis. Tickets: $25 adults and $20 seniors, students and active military. Call 317-685-8687. -
Auditions set for Children’s Theatre production
Children’s Theatre of Terre Haute Inc. will bring Mark Twain’s classic story “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” to musical life in this Broadway adaptation one of America’s favorite books.
-
Audition for ‘The Constant Wife’ at Terre Haute Community Theatre
Community Theatre of Terre Haute will stage auditions for “The Constant Wife” by W. Somerset Maugham at 7 p.m. on Jan. 2 and 3.
-
Clay County theater adds ‘Love Letters’
Community Theatre of Clay County Inc. has added a theatrical performance to its current 2012-13 season.
For one performance only, the theater group will present “Love Letters,” a Pulitzer Prize for Drama nominated play by A.R. Gurney. -
Youth, ages 6-15, invited to audition for ‘OZ!’
Community Theatre of Clay County’s upcoming auditions for its Young Actors’ performance of “OZ!” will be at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 2 and 3. Auditions will be at The Lark Theater at 8 E. National Ave., in Brazil.
- Theater: Dec. 20, 2012
- Theater: Dec. 13, 2013
-
‘The Nerd’ opens Friday in Vincennes
Comedy takes center stage on Friday when the Old Town Players community theatre opens the hilarious play, “The Nerd.”
- Theater: Dec. 6, 2012
- More Theater Headlines
-
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Today in History May 22
Raw: Costa Rica Volcano Roars to Life
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
