Cleveland Play House’s ‘Tartuffe’ is sheer poetry

Be sure to arrive early at the Outcalt Theatre at Playhouse Square for the Cleveland Play House production of Moliére’s “Tartuffe”. The reason? You will want to be treated to an abundance of recording snippets right out of the 80s. Everything from radio and TV ads, news reports and television shows from the era are all on auditory display (Clap On...Clap off). This will help greatly in putting you in the correct mind set for the ninety minute (no intermission) fast moving comical farce. The show itself begins with an 80’s type sitcom opening as various characters are parade across the stage during their introductions.

The entire show is done in rhyme and begins with Madame Pernelle (Kristine Zbornik), Orgon’s mother, lambasting the entire family and servants for their lax morals. She suggests that they follow the spiritual teachings of their new house guest, Tartuffe (Tom Ford) whom Orgon (Chris Thorn) rescued from the street. Tartuffe is a self proclaimed “man of God” who works biblical phrases into every conversation. In reality Tartuffe is a conman bent on taking over his benefactor’s estate...lock stock and barrel.

Orgon is a wealthy man with powerful connections having served the government during a recent trouble. He has a young daughter, Mariane (Christina McSheffrey) who is betrothed to Valere (Brendan Lowry) and a son, Damis (Adam Ortega) who is a wastrel with an apparent drinking and drug habit. Orgon has a second wife, Elmire (Brianna Miller) who while distant from the children is devoted to her husband. Elmire’s brother, Cleante (Calder Meis) acts as a peace maker during the family squabbles. Overseeing the household with a jaundiced eye is Dorine (Meredith Nelson) who sees right through Tartuffe but cannot do anything about it (or can she?).

Returning from a two day business trip, Orgon announces that the engagement of his daughter Mariane to Valere is off and she will instead be marrying the much older Tartuffe. While alone, an argument ensues between Mariane and Valere but ends when Dorine steps in. The maid works to arrange for Tartuffe and Elmire to meet as Orgon’s wife is the actual focus of Tartuffe’s desires. As Elmire tries to trap Tartuffe, the entire scene is overheard by the hidden stepson, Damis. Damis dutifully reports to his father Tartuffe’s intentions with his wife and gets kicked out of the house for his troubles by the disbelieving Orgon as Tartuffe using reverse psychology admits to being a sinner as all men are sinners.

In a flurry, Orgon disinherits his son signing all over to Tartuffe. It is then that Elmire decides to act. Hiding Orgon under the table, she invites Tartuffe to be “alone” with her allowing him to seduce her. When confronted by Orgon, Tartuffe brazenly kicks the man and his family out of their own house giving them one day to vacate. Madame Loyal (Madalyn Baker) arrives with the court orders and the next day a court officer (Byron Johnson) arrives but with a twist of fate.

First let us talk about the sumptuous stage design by Raul Abrego. Most prominent is the huge double staircase that has characters running up and down at great speed and peril. There is an art deco bar, a stylish round table and curved padded benches that are used in a number of clever configurations. There are huge vases complimenting the scene as well as a “marble” floor with double doors on the ground floor and at the top of the stairs.

Dawn Chiang’s lighting design floods the stage with brilliant illumination when needed and subdued lights when required. Jacquiline Herter’s sound design is quite well balanced which is important as the volume travels from barely a whisper to full blown yelling. An-Lin Dauber’s costuming fits everyone to a “T” as does Rueben D. Echoles’ wig design. Other unsung heroes include Dusten A. Welch as fight choreographer, Kenya Woods as movement coach, Nina Dominique as intimacy coordinator and Hayley Janielli as dialect and vocal coach. The fast pace races along due to the brilliant directing of Jason O’Connell.

As for the actors, they are superb. Chris Thorn as Orgon is perfect as the misguided man of means taken in by Tom Ford as the conman Tartuffe. Kristine Zbornik as the family matron Madame Pernelle really knows how to demand attention with notable lung power. Meredith Nelson as Dorine as the wise “see everything” maid who really runs the house. Adam Ortega brings a series of physical inflections that gives clues to his personality. Brianna Miller as wife Elmire is a perfect foil to trap the conman. Calder Meis as Cleante is the voice of reason. The young couple of Christina McSheffrey as Mariane and Brendan Lowry as Valere work very well together. Lastly, there is Madalyn Baker as the court appointed bearer of bad news and Byron Johnson as the officer who brings the show to a satisfying end.

Historically, comic farces of this type date back to ancient Greek and Roman times. (Moliére’s version poked fun at France’s Louis XIV who suppressed it). The Ranjit Bolt translation sets the show as an unlikely 80s sitcom that somehow works well. The action flies by at a breakneck pace as characters race each other up the tall staircase steps (replacing the slamming doors a la Ken Ludwig). If you are a fan of loud comic farce, this is your show to love.

The Cleveland Play House production of “Tartuffe” will be on stage in the Outcalt Theatre at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio through April 26, 2026. for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/ or call (216) 241-6000.