"The Imaginary Invalid" April 2, 2010

The 73rd. Ave. Theatre Company

The Imaginary Invalid
By Moliere

Directed by Maru Garcia

The 73rd. Ave. Theatre Company presents “The Imaginary Invalid” April 2 to May 9 with shows on Fridays and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $18 per adults, $16 per seniors and studentsCall 720-276-6936 for tickets. The 73rd. Avenue Theater Company is located at 7287 Lowell Blvd. in Westminster . More information at www.the73rdavenuetheatrecompany.com

Argan is a miser who imagines himself sick when he is not. He dutifully sticks to any instructions given to him by his doctor. His doctors milk his hypochondria for all it is worth, which leads eventually to their demise. Argan wants his daughter Angelica to marry a doctor so he can get free medical care, even though she is already in love with Cleante. Together with Argan's maid Toinette, his brother Beralde attempts to cure Argan of his fixation on doctors. Together, they convince him to play dead, in order to find out who is really loyal to him. As it turns out, Argan's second wife is only after his money, whereas his daughter really loves him. After the revival of the supposedly-dead Argan, Angelica is free to marry whomever she chooses.

Molière is the stage name of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, one of the most important dramatists in French history. His plays have been delighting and intriguing audiences since they were first performed in seventeenth-century France , at which time they pleased King Louis XIV and changed the face of French comic drama. A subtle and profound satirist, actor, philosopher, and master of character, Molière combined all of these elements into his plays, drawing heavily from tradition but also incorporating his own unique insights. Skillfully combining his acting and writing skills, he was also an incisive social critic, ridiculing institutions from organized religion to medicine, and poking fun at the Parisian bourgeoisie (the middle class made up of prosperous tradesmen).

The cast, under the direction of Maru Garcia, includes Victoria Allen (Louise), Donovan Arterburn III (Bonnefoy, Dr. Purgon), Kimberly Douglas (Angelica), Scott Glennon (Thomas, Apothecary & Doctor), Francois J. Madrigal (Cleante), John McDonald (Argan), Kiso Kyle (Toinette), Mellisa Taylor (Beline), Bill Thompson (Beralde).

The 73rd. Ave. Theatre Company - “The Imaginary Invalid” - April. 2. to May. 9 - Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun at 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $18 per adults, $16 per seniors and students. Call 720-276-6936 www.the73rdavenuetheatrecompany.com - The 73rd. Avenue Theater Company - 7287 Lowell Blvd. in Westminster.