Not Misery, Just Miserly

The plays of Jean Baptiste de Poquelin (aka Moliere) are more than three hundred years old now and still being produced. Moliere was one of three founders of the French National Theatre, La Comedie Francaise. He was the chief actor in his own theatrical company, and he stuck to writing comedy only. His works are derivative of the Italian commedia del’arte, their plots are sometimes lifted from other writers, and the playwright specializes in stock characters. So what’s the secret of his three-century success?

In Ross Valley Players’ new production of The Miser, Moliere introduces Harpagon, a stereotypical skinflint who loves his strongbox more than he loves his children. Harpagon’s latest hiding place for his treasure is buried in the back yard, where it is guarded by a pack of snarling Dobermans. He’s also busily arranging marriages for his children according to the dowrys involved. However, daughter Elise is already in love with Valere, a servant in his own house, and son Cleante adores the beautiful Marianne, who comes from a poor family: “clean, but very poor.” Their father has other plans. He wants to marry his daughter to a rich old man who doesn’t require a dowry and won’t last long, and he himself wants to marry the same Marianne, who has no expensive habits.

This script adaptation of the play is not in its original verse form; it uses modern language, and Director Bruce Vieira, in partnership with Costume Designer Michael Berg, has had fun with it. The costumes are colorful composites from the last three hundred years. Harpagon, for instance, wears a faded satin dressing gown over something that might be a sweat suit or long johns, while the Chief of Police declares his authority in a splendid Napoleonic hat. David Apple’s two-layered set, by contrast, presents a 17th Century miser’s grand, but decaying, mansion.

The Miser is an especially physical play. Action moves all over the stage, even flopping off the stage and down into the audience. There are also well-choreographed fight scenes, and the grand entrances of some key characters signal their dramatic importance.
The first of these entrances belongs to the matchmaker, a flamboyant seductress with the unlikely name of Frosine. Frosine (Courtney Walsh) is more than anxious to secure the match between thrifty Marianne and greedy old Harpagon, assuring him, “She adores older men!” but first, the matchmaker needs “a small gratuity,” to get her out of legal trouble. Harpagon pretends not to hear.

The next surprise appearance is the by-the-book Police Chief (John Anthony Nolan) who believes no one, suspects everyone, and insists on adherence to procedures. Nolan’s proper Britishness in this French play is a fine bit of casting.

The final grand entrance – bringing an onstage gasp – is the wonderfully wigged Anselm (Michael Fay,) the same rich old man who was planned for Elise because he was not supposed to last long. As events unfold in a Shakespearean way, Anselm’s presence at the house – though unexpected -- is entirely necessary to tie up the plot and supply the requisite happy ending.

GreyWolf, an experienced actor new to the Ross Valley Players, has the title role. He delivers Harpagon with considerable volume, but more wheedling and whining, less shouting and blustering would seem more in the miser’s character. Kelly Rinehart as his daughter Elise is convincingly desperate to marry the man she loves, the servant (or is he?) Valere. And when Valere’s role becomes suddenly Spanish, actor Chad Yarish accomplishes the change seamlessly. Beth Deitchman portrays the modest, but much desired Marianne, and Andrew Gruen is her devoted Cleante. Ben Knoll plays Master Jacques, cook, coachman, and all-purpose servingman to Harpagon. Fred Pitts as La Fleche and Victoria Lee Williams in two roles complete this large, high-spirited cast.

Moliere’s The Miser will be at The Barn Theatre in the Marin Art & Garden Center through Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. Performances are given Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., and Thursdays at 7:30. Ticket prices range from $15 to $25.
For complete information, see the website, www.rossvalleyplayers.com, or call the box office, 456-9555.