STAGE WEST: "Tartuffe" at North Coast Repertory Theatre

Bruce Turk (lying down) and Bo Foxworth in "Tartuffe."                                         Photo by Aaron Rumley

            Moliere’s “Tartuffe” was first performed more than 350 years ago. So why did it feel, as I sat among the opening-nighters at the North Coast Repertory Theatre on Saturday night, as current-day, as urgent as it did?
            Couldn’t have been because of the rhyming couplets in which the actors speak. Couldn’t have been the 17th-century costumes and wigs they wore. No. But try this on for size: The titular character whom all the fuss is about in the household of Orgon is a despicable hypocrite feigning religious piety, one who makes predatory moves on the lady of the house and in whose spell both Orgon and his mother are so beguiled that they can’t – and refuse – to see the vileness of the man.
            Put Orgon and his mum Madame Pernelle in MAGA hats and you’ve got a play for the times. In an election year yet.
            Possibly because of this creepy relevance, I wasn’t distracted by the rhyming couplets Saturday as I have been in the past at other productions in which the actors speak thus, times when I sat there just listening and waiting for the next rhyming line.
            But it wasn’t just the currency of “Tartuffe” at work. This production directed by Richard Baird is broad but searing and most of all tremendous fun. Given those costumes designed by Elisa Benzoni, Peter Herman’s wigs and Marty Burnett’s posh-perfect set, this “Tartuffe” is a visual treat, yet that’s only part of this staging’s appeal. An exceptional cast is at work: Bruce Turk in the title role, in the bare feet of Tartuffe as different from his last NC Rep turn as Dr. Jekyll as different can be – it’s delicious odiousness. Bo Foxworth is a sputtering and duped Orgon of great merit, with the estimable Kandis Chappell as Madame Pernelle in a small but crucial role.
            Then there’s Katie Karel, who damned near walks away with the whole show as Orgon’s sardonic hired maid Dorine. The year is young, but Karel’s performance has to be one of the richest and certainly funniest supporting turns so far.
            For Moliere neophytes, “Tartuffe’s” story is a straightforward one – The naïve Orgon has brought the destitute character into his home, having succumbed to his feigned religiosity, and is praising and catering to him at the expense of everyone else, including his wife and children. Except for Madame Pernelle, all others in the house of Orgon see through Tartuffe’s posing and rightfully despise him. When Orgon takes his slavish devotion to the next level, insisting that his daughter Mariane (Shante DeLoach) wed Tartuffe instead of her beloved Valere (Jared Van Heel), things come to a head.
            That’s pretty much it. Well more than two hours is required to resolve this little crisis, but resolved it will be, and in a piece such as this one, you know just desserts will be served after the farcical feast.
            Its musical language aside, “Tartuffe” is a physical affair, and there’s plenty of that on display, whether it’s Turk stalking Melanie Lora as Orgon’s dignified wife Elmire, Foxworth bounding onto tables or sliding underneath them, Rogella Douglas III waving a sword as Orgon’s irate son Damis, or doors opening and closing with emphasis (a staple it seems of most NCR comedies, regardless of the time period in which they’re set).
            Both Turk and especially Baird are theater historians and as such conversant with the depths and nuances of Moliere and this play. It shows. There’s an uncanny balance in Solana Beach between respect for the source material and the knack for pleasing an audience that might not be partial to, say, rhyming couplets.
            There’s also the ability to execute visual comedy without resorting to so-called sight gags. Shakespeare knew how to do this. Moliere knew how to do this.
            You’re in fine company, Mr. Baird, Mr. Turk and the ensemble.
            “Tartuffe” runs through April 7 at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach.