Moliere’s Tartuffe

Translated by Ranjit Bolt
Fordham Theatre

Faith without reason is always a threat

Prosperous and powerful Orgon is in search of something real. He finds grounding in a religious charlatan named Tartuffe. While Orgon believes Tartuffe is there to help him, those closest to him see an opportunist looking to suck the house dry. The tension caused by Tartuffe’s influence over Orgon threatens to ruin the family publicly and privately. Will the household be able to rid themselves of Tartuffe? This controversial piece explores what happens when delusion drives our actions.

Cast:

Jason Maina (Cléante), Marco Lizarraga (Damis), Leah Getz (Elmire), Dylan Foster (Filipote/M. Loyal), Nathan Brenn (Laurent/Officer), Natalia Guedes (Mariane), Kenyon Terrel (Orgon), Tyler Bey (Tartuffe), Raekwon Talib (Dorine), Trystan Edwards (Mme. Pernelle), Jaden Gianni (Valère)

Design Team:
Zhang Yu (Costume), Alex Alipio (Lighting), Dahlia Al-Habieli (Scenic), Mellie Way (Sound), Tim Zay (Violence), Leana Gardella (Intimacy), Deb Gaoutte (Props), Olive Fox (PSM)

Director’s Note:

TARTUFFE is an examination of illusion and delusion. It’s not the illusion that Tartuffe casts that puts Orgon’s house in danger. It’s Orgon’s own unflappable belief in Tartuffe and what he stands for that puts him and his family in peril. Our contemporary world is filled with illusions that trigger dangerous delusions. Many of today’s delusions started with illusions cast during the presidency of Ronald Reagan. Our Reagan-era, sitcom-inspired production answers “What happens when illusion triggers delusions?”