LIHU‘E — This weekend only, Island School’s talented high school thespians perform one of French playwright Moliére’s funniest comedies. The opening performance of “Skinflints and Scoundrels: Moliére’s Miser” begins at 7 p.m. today at the Island School Theatre, with
LIHU‘E — This weekend only, Island School’s talented high school thespians perform one of French playwright Moliére’s funniest comedies.
The opening performance of “Skinflints and Scoundrels: Moliére’s Miser” begins at 7 p.m. today at the Island School Theatre, with additional performances Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m.
Susan Zeder’s translation and adaptation of Moliére’s classic comedy, “The Miser,” is set in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris in the 17th century. Moliére, the playwright, has been hired to entertain the court of King Louis XIV with a theatrical production, but is annoyed with the Assistant Minister of Culture, who won’t pay him in advance.
Moliére threatens to walk out, but finally agrees to perform a different title, one that draws on his stinginess.
This “play within a play,” as Director Peggy Ellenburg describes it, centers around Harpagon, a comic villain who holds very tightly to his money. When his two grown children want to marry, all he sees are dollar signs and makes it an exercise in spending as little as possible, Ellenburg said.
“I first directed this play in 2003,” she said. “It has become one of our favorite shows and destined for a comeback. We’re staging it as we did in 2003, on the floor of the Main Hall, with the audience seated on two sides. This allows for the comedic asides and audience interactions that were prevalent in 17th century French court performances.”
Moliére is often described as France’s Shakespeare and is arguably the country’s foremost playwright, according to Ellenburg. His plays were performed for the court of Louis XIV in the 17th century and continue to be popular today.
“I’m a big fan of this playwright,” Ellenburg said. “He’s so funny.”
In addition to “The Miser,” written in 1668, Moliére’s other famous works include “The School for Husbands,” “The School for Wives,” “The Misanthrope” and “The Doctor in Spite of Himself.”
The cast stars Quinn Hannah-White, as Harpagon, the miser. His son, Cleante, is played by Philipp Zaviryukha, and daughter, Elise, is played by Raina Silver. Other cast members include Christy Jo Williams as the matchmaker, Frosine; Stephen Foster as La Fleche; Zeb Wichert as Valere; Ava Zebzda as Jacques; Imara Joroff as Marianne; Shawna Dinnan as Brindavoine; Ian Cowden as Simon and Dame Claude; and Eric Potter as the officer.
Adding some extra spice will be Island School physics teacher Jeffrey Kozak, who plays the role of Pierre Pomponne.
Each performance features a “celebrity” duo playing the roles of King Louis XIV and his mistress, the Marquise de Montespan. Tonight, Philip Steinbacher and Cindy Wortmann will play the parts. Saturday features Clare Petterson and Rory McClure, and Sunday will be Justin Kollar and Sierra Hampton-Eng.
Ellenburg says the audience can expect a comedic and chaotic performance, complete with amazing makeup and French colonial costumes and wigs.
Tickets are $6 in advance and $8 at the door. Family passes are available in advance for $15. For more information or to purchase tickets visit the Island School office or contact Peggy Ellenburg at 246-0233 ext. 262 or peggy@ischool.org.
Island School Theatre is located in Puhi, behind Kaua‘i Community College.
