Off-Broadway's upcoming hyperintimate revival of Moliére's Tartuffe—which will play to just 100 guests per performance at House of the Redeemer on Manhattan's East Side beginning October 1—has completed its cast as rehearsals begin. Opening night is October 9, with performances to continue through November 23.
Newly joining the cast are Amber Iman as Elmire and Tyler Hardwick as Damis, along with understudies James Preston Bates, Bex Odorisio, and Marcus Fitzpatrick.
They join a previously announced company led by Tony winner André De Shields (Hadestown, The Wiz) in the title role, Phoebe Dunn as Dorinne, Charlie Lubeck as Valere, Hannah Beck as Cleante, Chris Hahn as Orgon, Todd Buonopane as Mme. Pernelle, and Alexandra Socha as Mariane.
The classic satire, first performed in 1664, follows the titular Tartuffe as he misrepresents himself as poor for his own gain, and the outing of his deceit. Keaton Wooden will direct the upcoming revival, which will feature Ranjit Bolt's translation of Moliére's French original. The production is the latest in a growing trend of Moliére revivals Off-Broadway—the fall will see a new version of Tartuffe by Lucas Hnath and starring Matthew Broderick at New York Theatre Workshop.
“Just now in American culture, hypocrisy and delusion and belligerence are more pernicious than racism, sexism, and otherism, and are no respecter of person, economic status, age, geography, nor gender," said De Shields in an earlier statement. "Younger generations deserve nobler examples of personal success and global citizenship. Moliére's Tartuffe is a master class in how to avoid self-demolition.”
“At its core, Tartuffe is a morality tale about our capacity for collective madness: how effortlessly we become spellbound by the things we most want to believe. And as we know, this is no distant fable; In many ways, we are living in the Age of Tartuffe. Happening before our eyes, up close and personal," added Wooden. "And to help that sink in, we are inviting the audiences to live it with us, to step inside, and hopefully discover a spark of courage by confronting these grave and serious truths by treating them, for one evening together, very un-seriously."
Tall Order Productions and goaTman are producing, with Broadway & Beyond Theatricals serving as executive producer. Co-producers include Karen Taffner Butler and Ron Butler, 30 Minutes From Broadway Entertainment, Jeanne McInerney, and Scott Wyatt.
Tickets are at TartuffeNYC.com.
