Colleen Stein

Resurrecting an era when men wore ruffled shirts and wigs, South Dakota State University’s theater department prepares to bring the posh of Paris to the Brookings Theater in their production of Moliere’s 17th century comedy, Tartuffe.

Director and theatre professor J.D. Ackman admits that Tartuffe has long been a favorite play among his students for both its comedy and controversy.

“Tartuffe was actually banned when it first came out in 1665. Church officials did not like Moliere addressing hypocrisy within the Catholic Church,” Ackman said.

“For those who still get angry at it, they have missed the whole point altogether. The play is simply criticizing the people who profess to be Christian and do not act like it.”

Tartuffe’s storyline examines such hypocrisy through the heinous actions of the villain Tartuffe, played by senior Dietr Poppen, who imposes his company upon the wealthy and gullible nobleman Orgon, played by senior Perry Anderson Jr.

Throughout the play Tartuffe defies his seemingly pious personality by attempting coax his host’s wife, Elmire, played by freshman Amy Vickroy, to sleep with him while trying gain ownership to the deed of Orgon’s estate.

Performances of Tartuffe will be delivered on an arena-style stage where the audience will be located on all for sides of the action. This method allows viewers to focus more on the characters and less on the setting and props.

“This will be a new experience for the actors,” Ackman said. “Now they must consider not only how to move and stand but also where to direct their lines so that all of the audience can hear and see them.”

The first showing of Tartuffe will take place at 8:00 p.m. on April 15-17. After students return from Easter Break, the production will continue April 22-24 and again on the 26th. A final matinee will conclude the production on Sunday the 27th.

Tartuffe will be performed in the Studio Theater located in the newly built Performing Arts Center. The theatre seats only 201 people at a time, so reserving tickets in advance is advisable.

Tickets are $15 per adult and $8 for people 18 years and younger. SDSU students can get in free of charge by displaying their student ID.

Box office hours are 10-4:00 p.m. For further information call 688-6045.

#1.887039:3871931511.jpg:tartuffe1.jpg:Tartuffe, a play about a man who pretends to be a religious in order to get money?and the love of his host?s wife?opens next Tuesday in the Arena Theater of the Performing Arts Center. The play was banned when it was first released in 1665. Tartuffe will run Tuesday and Wednesday at 8 p.m. and resume after Easter break.:#1.887038:2784846594.jpg:tartuffe masks.jpg::