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The Misanthrope
By Moliere
Translated by Ranjit Bolt
Directed by Libby Ford
Produced by Greasy Joan and Co.
At the Athenaeum Theatre
2936 N. Southport Ave
Chicago, IL
Call 312-902-1500, tickets $20 -- $10 industry & students
Thursdays thru Sundays at 8 PM
Running time is 2 hrs 20 min with intermission
Through April 5, 2008
Moliere’s comedy of manners ripe with humor and satire
Greasy Joan and Co., now in its 12th season, has mounted a smart, fresh and quite hilarious production of Moliere’s classic, The Misanthrope. Full of love triangles, lies and lots of humor, this version sure does Moliere proud. It is a stinging critique of a corrupt society. Scenic designer Kevin Depinet’s set hints at the dystopian environment of an aristocratic society. Lindsey Pate’s colorful modern costumes with wild make up on both the men and the women hint at the powdered wigs and white faces of 18th Century France.
Using Ranjit Bolt’s crisply powerful yet easily fluid translation, The Misanthrope smoothly convey’s Moliere’s attack on the sick natured hypocrisy of 18th Century French society. Through colorful characters speaking nimble rhymed couplets, the superficiality of overt politeness and insincerity is spoofed and ridiculed by Moliere. Along the way, we are treated to a wonderfully entertaining show long on laughs and spirited performances.
A misanthrope is ”one who hates mankind” and Alceste (Kevin Cox in an emotionally vibrant performance) is the blunt, tell-it-like-it-is morally dogmatic aristocrat aghast with the foibles of Parisian society. His easy going friend Philinte (the terrific Alex Goodrich) tries to get Alceste to be less brutally honest thereby avoiding making needless enemies. Alceste is too stubborn which gets him into trouble including alienation from his love, the flirtatious Celimente (the vivaciously cunning Kate Cares). Add colorful characters such as Acaste, the obnoxious flaming socialite (Carlo Lorenzo Garcia in a brilliant campy comic style) with his weird associate Clitandre (Dan Behrendt) and the smiley Arsinoe (Carol Enoch) in a marvelously effective turn together with Matthew Sherback’s swishy poet, Oronte and The Misanthrope unfolds as richly layered and satirically flavored show full of manic, sometimes over-the-top, in-your-face comedy that stings with wit and cynicism.
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Director Libby Ford’s cast, especially Kevin Cox as Alceste, understood and executed the script with deft aplomb. Moliere’s plays are difficult to get right needing spot on elocution to land Moliere’s rhymed couplets in character. This troupe’s clarity produced easily understood dialogue that landed the satire and humor brilliantly. This show is quite funny and it reaches depths of ringing satire. Discover for yourself how enjoyable a classic play can be in the hands of a caring, energetic and talented players such as Greasy Joan and Co. This is a fine example of the rich talent pool of the Non-Equity players in Chicago.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2008
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