Ardin is dying, or so he believes. And it looks like he's determined to drag everyone else down with him.

This comedy tells the tale of Ardin, a hypochondriac who believes he only survives because of the myriad of pills and treatments he receives. His daughter, Angelique, is in love with Cleante, but Ardin has decided that she will marry the idiotic son of his favorite doctor, thereby guaranteeing a doctor in the family to care for him. Beline, Ardin's new young wife, proclaims her undying love for Ardin while plotting to grab all his money the moment he passes away. Doctors and suitors come and go, and all appears lost... 

Finally, Toinette, the maid, takes matters in hand and manages to turn everything out for the best.

Moliere wrote and starred in this drawing room comedy in the 1670s. Since then it has become a favorite of audiences in many versions, from the original French, written entirely in verse, to this version translated and adapted by Merritt Stone. 

In case you're worried, be assured that this version is not in French (or in verse, for that matter). 

We will, however, be moving this play from the 1600s to the 1960s. There are a couple of reasons for this, the most important being the we have more women than men trying out for our shows. We prefer to cast some of our talented actresses in roles which would have to be played by men in if the play were set in the 1600s. The social mileu of the 1960s gives us some additional layers to play with, however. Ardin is the conservative, Eisenhower-era type of fellow who find himself surrounded by liberated women, including his wife, his daughter, his maid, and even his doctor. His recourse is to demand that they serve him and acquiesce to his demands because, after all, he's a sick man...

CAST LIST

Ardin - Jim Hillen
 The Invalid (imaginary)
Toinette - Brenda Vander Ark
 The Maid (who is really in charge)
Angelique - Rachel Geerlings
 The elder daughter of Ardin (doomed to marry against her will)
Beline - Mary Ann Heinen
 The wife of Ardin (who hopes to gain his fortune)
Ms. de Bonnefoi - Amy Hooyer
 The notary (a.k.a. the wife's notary)
Cleante - James Karel
 The lover of Angelique (though they met only once)
Dr. Defois - Barb Jingles
 Ardin's doctor (and making a comfortable living from it)
Thomas Defois - Bob Evans
 The son of Defois (and more than a little bit thick)
Louise - Julie Honderd
 The younger daughter of Ardin
Beralde - Fred Boncher
 The brother of Ardin (who tries to talk some sense into him)
Nurse Fleuante - Amy Hooyer
 The nurse

For more information or tickets call (616) 891-8117