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The fall show at Hendricken Theatre is 2 one act
Moliere farces, "The Miser" & "The Imaginary Invalid" are rhymed verse
adaptations of Moliere's comedies by Tim Mooney. This modern version of
both shows abound with laughter. "The Miser" is about Harpagon who loves
nothing so much as his money not even his own children. So even
though his son and daughter have fallen in love and are
about to declare their intentions to their intended suitors who are young,
vital partners when the miser announces his own wedding plans:he, to
the girl with whom his son is in love, and his wealthy friend, to his
daughter. After a few rollicking laps around the block in which the
miser's hidden treasure figures, it is revealed that the rich friend is
the long-lost father of the boy who loves the miser's daughter and of the
girl who is loved by the miser's son. This show explores the fine
line between money and love and the consequences of valuing the former
over the latter. "The Imaginary Invalid" is about a famous
hypochondriac who not only complains about a million imaginary ills, but
also of his astronomical medical bills. If he marries his daughter to a
doctor, he reasons, he will have free medical care. Monsieur Argan
chooses a numbskull, Thomas, without consulting his daughter,
Angelique who is already smitten with another. The inventive maid
Toinette, with his brother, Beralde, exposes the doctor and his
father as charlatans and she demonstrates to her master that his
second wife, Beline loves his money not him. Thus are truth and love
triumphant and all troubles real and imaginary, relieved by laughter.
Directors Michael Miele and Brian Codeiro cast the best students in
these roles with both shows winning many accolades and a standing
ovation as their reward in these French farces. The unit set is by Brother
John Kiernan while the multitude of costumes are by Mrs. Janice Nagle
especially impressive are the 1930's costumes for "The Miser".
Michael and Brian supply their casts with many slapstick
routines and pratfalls. Their high energy casts deliver
them all splendidly. Michael and Brian add present day nuances and
innuendos so current day audiences can relate to the situations.(Michael
is a former student of Brian's at Hendricken and is currently a senior
theatre major and the school in conjunction with URI directing
project lead by Professor Bryna Wortman and this show is his senior
project.) They are commedia dell'arte which is a mixture of
vaudeville and melodrama. Michael sets the show in the 1930's and has
his cast strike cutesy poses from that era. Harpagon is marvelously
played by senior Graham Duff who commands the stage in this antiheroic
role playing a 60 year old man with gray sprayed in his hair. He is
hilarious as the money grubbing man while his costume reflects his
wealth.One of the funniest moments comes when his money box is stolen and
when asked who he thinks took it, looks directly at the audience and
accuses everyone. Another scene stealer in this show is Billy Cavanagh as
the chef with a French accent and a handlebar moustache. Harpagon finally
has him arrested after he beats the crap out of him several times. Kevin
Gray is a hoot as Simon, the imp who has really stolen the money box
to help out the miser's children The four young lovers deftly
navigate the twists and turns of their relationships and are
well played by the quartet. His worst moment against his
children comes when the miser sets them up with a rich widow and
widower. The hapless son, Cleante and daughter,Elise of the miser are
wonderfully played by Luke LaMontagne and Jade Genga The scene where
they turn the tables on their father is hilarious and since it is a comedy
the lovers triumph over the greedy skinflint in the end. The steward
and her true love, Valere is well played by Jim Anesta while pretty blond
haired, Jess Keane is topnotch as the 1930's ingenue. The matchmaker
Frosine is wonderfully played by Annalisa Carmosino, who runs around the
theatre in a gypsy style costume in and out of the doors of the theatre.
The widower is well played by Andrew Osmanski who enters with a fake
black beard before revealing his true identity.
Brian uses a funny rap song and a robot like dance number to
conclude "The Imaginary Invalid" and has his cast do their bows
as they each climb on the bed in center stage. The Miser" cast joins in an
energetic dance for the final curtain call, too. The hypochondriac,
Argan is onstage alone during the first few minutes of the show
and is played by Alex McKhann who is dressed
in long johns and a nightgown, looking like Scrooge.
He delivers this long segment and his part perfectly while doing
so. Alex is a hoot as he walks around with a walker, two canes
and in a wheelchair at different points in the show. He gobbles down pills
and has every ailment under the sun. The doctors and his wife are in
it for their monetary reward. Beralde, his brother is wonderfully played
by Ron Truman Kitts says one should take care of one's own health and
not depend heavily on quack doctors advice. Toinette insists Angelique
marry the man she loves not the stupid doctor that her father has chosen
for her. Alexandra Andrews makes her the wise, cynical and capable servant
who can see through the facade of the quacks and her final test of Beline
and Angelique proves who really loves Argan. Angelique and her guitar
playing, Elvis Presley type boyfriend, Cleante are marvelously played by
Sarah Anderson and Elliot Colantuono who get to sing a song called Phyliss
while declaring their love for each other. The gold-digger trophy
wife is wonderfully played by Erika Pistaccio, a statuesque
blonde who makes her into a cunning woman and she has many
funny glances to the audience as her disdain for her husband who loves
getting an enema. Argan's youngest daughter, Louison is played by Niamh
Molloy who does pirouettes around the stage while dressed in a funny
yellow ballet outfit. Dr. Diafoirus is clad in black like Darth Vader
played by Ward Pettibone while his nerdlike son
wearing glasses is played by Brian Gould. Andrew Nelson sings
the rap song that closes the show which confers a doctor's degree to Argan
so he will let his family live in peace. So the adage that laughter
is the best medicine applies when viewing both of these comedies. Be sure
to catch Moliere comedies that will keep you in stitches from start to
finish. Tell them Tony prescribed it.
THE MISER & THE IMAGINARY INVALID (12
to 14 November, 2009)
Bishop Hendricken High
School
Warwick, RI
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