GREENSBORO, N.C. — "Hear ye! Hear ye!"
The Theatre Arts Program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University presents "Tartuffe".
WFMY News 2 caught up with some of the characters in the play. Jaiden Cunningham, a senior theater major, plays the role of Tartuffe and explains how the play highlights the influence of African Americans on the classical era.
"Heightened language is sometimes hard to understand but I feel like the way that we portray these characters I hope that they kind of understand not only can they see people of color in these types of roles but also that this type of work on the stage that is kind of dying is still very much alive at least for us," Cunningham said.
History of "Tartuffe"
The play is a comedy that was first banned in Paris in 1667 because of its cutting political and religious satire.
Often subtitled “The Hypocrite,” this French masterpiece written by Moliere centers on the titular character, Tartuffe, an imposter invited into the home of a wealthy French family. The man of the house, Orgon, is deceived by Tartuffe, who manipulates his host into believing he is a saintly, devout man of religious faith. Blinded by the deception, Orgon sacrifices the well-being of his wife and children to please his visitor.
Moliere’s cleverly crafted characters are intertwined in a series of comical situations and unlikely events punctuated with betrayal, seduction, and religious grandiosity under the direction of N.C. A&T’s classical theatre lecturer, Xulee Vanecia J, the play challenges audiences to consider the bigger questions on display in Tartuffe – faith, morality, and blind devotion – as they enjoy this hilarious comedy.
Performance Dates and Times:
Thursday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 20, at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 21 at 3 p.m.
The location for the play will be The Paul Robeson Theatre on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University.
For tickets, click or tap HERE.