The Misanthrope, Molière's classic play in verse, gets a Stratford Shakespeare Festival revival under the direction of Tony Award nominee David Grindley (Journey's End, The American Plan). The 17th-century comedy of manners features Sara Topham (Broadway's The Importance of Being Earnest) as flirtatious Célimène, who is courted by suitors Oronte (Peter Hutt), Acaste (Trent Pardy), Clitandre (Steve Ross) and Alceste (Ben Carlson), the Parisian "misanthrope" of the title. Alceste declares his hatred of anything false, dishonest or hypocritical, but can't help falling for Célimène, who possesses each character trait, in spades. Performances play in rep through Oct. 29 at the Festival Theatre in Stratford, Ontario.