“We die only once, and for such a long time,” wrote one of comedy’s founding fathers, Moliere. Some humor is timeless, as demonstrated by the many satirical plays written by the 17th century French playwright, actor and director. Island School’s
“We die only once, and for such a long time,” wrote one of comedy’s founding fathers, Moliere. Some humor is timeless, as demonstrated by the many satirical plays written by the 17th century French playwright, actor and director.
Island School’s high school drama students present Moliere’s final work, “The Imaginary Invalid,” on Friday and Saturday nights, April 27 and 28, at 7 p.m. in the Island School theatre.
This comedy focuses on Argan, played by senior Noah Randolph-Flagg, who suffers from hypochondria — he’s not really sick, but thinks he is. He wants his daughter Angelique, played by sophomore Katy Talvi, to marry a doctor to keep his medical costs down. His maid, played by junior Richelle Ridenour, keeps Argan in line, while tricking her master to let Angelique marry her true love, Cleante, played by senior Justin Vea. Other players include senior Logan Alcott, who plays Beralde, Argan’s sensible brother; junior Rory Marsh, and sophomores Ron O’Brien, Juli Blachowiak, and Adel Cardoso, and freshman Manas Kshirsagar. This condensed version, adapted by Paul Caywood, well preserves the hilarious situations and timing brought to life by Moliere’s cast of characters.
Following the short intermission, the cast will perform their own original parody of “The Imaginary Invalid,” titled “Emergency!” Set in a dysfunctional emergency room, the zealous Dr. Argan manages to over-treat every patient who comes in. The plot thickens as the Commissioner of Public Health tries to close down the facility. “The Imaginary Invalid” is produced by special arrangement with Encore Performance Publishing, Orem, Utah.
Tickets are $5 and are available at the door, from cast members, or from the director, Peggy Ellenburg. Contact Ellenburg at 246-0233 or peggy@ischool.org.
