"Tartuffe"

UTC Theatre Co. will present Tartuffe by Jean Baptiste Molière, translated by Christopher Hampton November 13 through 17, continuing their 2018 – 2019 season with the classic French comedy staged with a modern twist.

The play focuses on one family’s entanglement with a charlatan houseguest, Tartuffe. Orgon's family desperately tries to shake some sense in him once he invites the hypocrite Tartuffe into their home. Everyone can see through Tartuffe's theatrical sanctimony, but can they get the head of the household to see through his crazy antics before they lose everything? One of theatre's most famous comedies is brought to life in a completely new light in this deeply southern gospel influenced production. 

Tartuffe will feature direction by guest artist Blake Harris, a UTC alumnus who graduated in 2011. Based in Los Angeles, Harris returns briefly to Chattanooga this fall after recently graduating from CalArts with an MFA in Theatre Directing. After being approached to work on Tartuffe, Harris says he was immediately excited to return to UTC Theatre Co., this time as a working artist.

“The foundation for my entire theatre process was formed here,” says Harris. “It feels very full circle to have the opportunity to be back and offer students and audiences a glimpse at the type of work I'm currently making in Los Angeles.” 

That work has always bordered on what some would call “experimental.” Indeed, this staging of Tartuffe, originally written as a 17thCentury satirical comedy, will be a surprise for audiences. While keeping the show’s dialogue in classic verse, this production will be set in what Harris describes as “1990’s gospel realness.” It’s a fun twist that he believes will still ring true to the play’s themes. 

“I think this production will offer a clearer critique of the dangers of blind belief in systemic structures and celebrity,” he says. “It feels very timely in this political and social climate, but it’s ultimately about dealing with the comedy of being human and the risks we all take in trusting someone.” 

he creative team for Tartuffe includes: Blake Harris (director), Samantha Burns (set design), Chalise Ludlow (costume design) and Jeff Davis (lighting design and technical direction). 

UTC Theatre Co. presents Tartuffe in the Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre located in the UTC Fine Arts Center. The play runs November 13 - 17 at 7:30 pm, with an additional matinee at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 17. Tickets can be purchased at the UTC Fine Arts Center box office in person or by phone at (423) 425-4269, or by visiting https://www.utc.edu/theatre. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for students (with proof of student ID) and seniors.