Molière’s Tartuffe has long transcended the boundaries of comedy, presenting a scathing critique of hypocrisy that resonates even in today’s world. Since its explosive premiere in 1664, it has stirred discomfort among those it targets—namely the self-righteous, blindly devout, and those who manipulate virtue for personal gain. The Church quickly banned the play due to its bold critique of religious hypocrisy, despite King Louis XIV’s endorsement, only permitting its return after revisions toned down its satirical edge. Yet, even after these adjustments, the essence of Tartuffe remains a sharp indictment of false piety.
City Theatre Austin has brought this classic to the modern stage under the direction of Payton Trahan, who infuses the production with humor and lightness. Set in a contemporary setting, the production features modern costumes, smartphones, and various references from today’s culture. While it retains much of the elevated, old-English poetic text from the original translation, the juxtaposition between this antiquated language and the modern-day context can sometimes create a dissonance. Nevertheless, the show maintains a brisk pace, ensuring that the audience remains enthralled without lingering excessively on any one moment.
A particularly resonant theme in this rendition of Tartuffe is the biting critique of blind faith, which leads individuals to be easily deceived. Orgon, the gullible patriarch of the story, demonstrates how desperation can blind one to reason and familial duty as he fervently protects Tartuffe, a con artist profiting from his naivety. This mirrors a familiar pattern in contemporary society, not least in political arenas, where charisma often disguises ambition. Tartuffe serves as a metaphor for figures who veil their self-interest in moral righteousness, preying on those who fear to question authority.
Despite being centuries old, Molière’s work draws striking parallels to current socio-political climates, where charismatic figures claim to offer moral guidance, only to reveal their true, untrustworthy natures too late.
The cast of City Theatre has infused the production with energy and spirit. While a few accent choices may have felt slightly out of place, the overall performance was solid, showcasing strong commitment from the entire ensemble to serve the play’s narrative.
Several actors delivered standout performances. Andrea Littlefield’s portrayal of Madame Pernelle captivated audiences with her sharp-tongued sarcasm and impeccable comedic timing. Zachary Gamble embodied Orgon’s blind allegiance with an exaggerated machismo that made him both humorous and disturbingly recognizable. Nathan Clemenson’s Tartuffe was a vivid depiction of insidiousness—smugly manipulative to the point of disgust. Christine Angelique, as Marianne, brought charm and levity in her exaggerated portrayal of a young woman wrestling with fickle love and angst.
Additional commendable performances came from Shanaya Dixon as the lovely Elmire, Liam Kinna as the erratic Damis, Mollie Kirby as the astute Dorine, and Haylee Myers as Flipote. Brent Irwin played Valère while Mike Dellens appeared as Monsieur Loyal. Adrian Lancaster took on the role of The Officer, and Kristin Fern Johnson portrayed Cléante, the sole voice of reason amid the chaos of the story’s ensemble.
Trahan’s direction successfully propels the narrative forward at an engaging pace, allowing the absurdity to shine while ensuring the underlying message remains clear. The humor lands effectively, and the pacing captivates the audience, reminding them that the most dangerous power often masquerades as righteousness.
City Theatre’s adaptation of Tartuffe serves as a poignant reminder, wrapped in wit, that despite changing circumstances, humanity continues to fall prey to age-old deceptions.
The production runs for two hours and thirty minutes with one intermission and is scheduled to continue through June 29, 2025. Performances take place Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM at City Theatre Austin, located at Genesis Creative Collective, 1507 Wilshire Blvd., Austin 78722.
image source from：broadwayworld
