February 3, 2005

CONTACT:
Matt Lindsay
(202) 994-1423; mlindsay@gwu.edu
Jennifer Rosenthal
(202) 994-6424; jennyr@gwu.edu

THE GW DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE PRESENTS TARTUFFE
FEB. 23-27

WHAT:

The George Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance presents Tartuffe, by Moliere and directed by Alan Wade, GW professor of theatre.

WHEN:

Preview: Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 24-Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m.

WHERE:

The George Washington University
Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, Marvin Center 1st Floor
800 21st St., N.W., Washington, D.C.
(Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro on the blue and orange lines)

COST:

$8 for students and senior citizens, $12 general admission
$5 preview admission
Tickets are available online at www.gwu.edu/~theatre, by calling (202) 994-6178, or at the box office located on the 1st floor of the Marvin Center.

BACKGROUND:

Tartuffe, a classic comedy presented in rhyming couplets, ridicules excessive piety, criticizes dishonest pursuits of power, and derides hypocrites. The two main characters are Tartuffe, a trickster who uses a mask of intense piety as a tool to get what he wants, and Orgon, a buffoon who bolsters his reputation by associating with the attributes of the "best" people. These two characters rely heavily on each other to gain power and prestige.

At first the relationship between Tartuffe and Orgon seems ridiculous yet innocent, but soon the servants and their family come to realize that Tartuffe is not what he appears. Before long, Tartuffe makes advances on Orgon's wife, convinces him to offer his daughter's hand in marriage, and to banish his son. As soon as Tartuffe gains enough power to take over Orgon's estate, he turns on the family, and reveals himself as a hypocrite.

This cast of 12 is directed by GW Professor of Theatre Alan Wade, and features GW students Ryan McGlone as Tartuffe, Michael Lutton as Orgon, Anna Marshall as Elmire, and Emily Beaton as Dorine.

For more information, visit the Department of Theatre and Dance at www.gwu.edu/~theatre.
For more news about GW, visit the GW News Center at www.gwnewscenter.org.

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