Close to life - a day out with Tartuffe at Taproot Theatre

We laughed, we moaned. After the first five minutes of dialogue, if I could have, I would have smacked Tartuffe before I even met him on stage.

I took time off from studies for Tartuffe, a play at Taproot Theatre. Tartuffe is a charlatan who worms his ways into the graces of a hot-tempered, not-too-thoughtful nobleman. The chaos he brings to the household had the audience leaning forward on their seats. By the second half, we were groaning, chuckling, and listening to our neighbors' whispers, as they advised the actors on how to deal with Tartuffe.

The satirical morality play, banned by the Church until the playwright's sovereign intervened, felt a little close to reality for me. Especially, after various televangelist scandals, hearing about hucksters who claim to be holy, and the historical parallels I've read about in my studies.

Taproot Theatre, with limited resources and actors, stretches its facility and personnel with great plays and thoughtful performances. Karen Lund produced the show, which had excellent casting. Tartuffe's comedic presence depends on body language as well as verse. We enjoyed watching the actors "standing by," as well as those who were speaking. Their physical comedy engaged us and drew us into the action. In particular, Ruth McRee as Madame Pernelle, and Charity Parenzini as the servant Dorine, captured my attention in the first scene and held it to their last lines.

Oh, the costumes. The costumes. Beautiful, especially in the intimate space that showed off the details of dresses and doublets.

I'd recommend the play for college students and young adults who value integrity (you'll recognize the opposite in the self-serving Tartuffe). Mature adults, who have "seen it all" in religious and political communities, will be shaking your heads, thinking of your own roster of names as you watch the hapless being taken in, the friends and family who advise, and the deceiver who passes as devout. Though the play resolved abruptly, we talked about Tartuffe through dinner and all the way home.

Well worth the price of a ticket (click here), -- especially if you take time to talk afterwards!

Tartuffe, by Molière, translated into English verse by Richard Wilbur
Directed by Karen Lund

WHEN: February 1-March 3 (Wednesday-Thursday, 7:30 pm; Friday-Saturday, 8 pm; Saturday matinees, 2 pm)

Dates to note:
Pay What You Can: February 8, 7:30 pm
Senior Matinee: February 15, 2 pm
Student Matinee: February 7, 10 am
Post-play Discussions: Wednesday nights, excluding preview

WHERE: Taproot Theatre Company, 204 North 85th Street, Seattle, WA 98103

TICKETS: Tickets are available online at www.taproottheatre.org/buy-tickets/ and through Taproot Theatre’s box office, in person or by phone at 206.781.9707. Tickets range from $22-37, depending on the performance. Taproot offers a $5 senior/student discount off regular priced tickets. $15 tickets are available for ages 25 and under. Tickets for the senior matinee are $20. Discounts are available for parties of 8 or more through Group Sales; call 206.781.9708. Tickets for the pay-what-you-can performance are available day of show at the box office only; contact the box office for details.

Note: Taproot provided complimentary tickets to the reviewer, but we bought an extra to accommodate our party. No regrets!