Review Of 'Tartuffe' At St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School

OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA, VA - From The Cappies: If you love drama, frauds, and sleuths, you have to see this school's "Tartuffe!" St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School's production of this classical comedy revived and spun it into a spectacle that was easy for modern audiences to enjoy.

Originally penned by French playwright Molire in 1664, the play centers on a wealthy family being torn apart by Tartuffe, a criminal who feigns pious sanctity to win over the head of the household, Orgon. Hilarity ensues with much ado as the rest of the family scrambles to present proof of Tartuffe's true devious nature.

JP Payro took on the titular role with flair and confidence, expertly capturing the character's duality as he manipulated those around him. Payro exhibited flawless comedic timing as he snapped from a groveling, overly devout martyr to a sleazy con-artist as soon as Orgon looked away. His use of his hands made the distinction between the two clear; he pressed them earnestly to his chest with excessive frequency while acting as the former, and strutted around with his thumbs in his pockets when reverting to the latter. Payro further showcased his physical dexterity as he and Julia Burke, who played Elmire, developed an uncomfortable sexual tension that mingled intimacy with obvious ulterior motives.

Portraying the stubborn and oblivious Orgon, Christian Corpening's performance was both exasperating and entertaining as he plummeted right into Tartuffe's plans, only discovering the truth too late when his wife shoved it into his face. His animated indignation worked well with the complex blocking of the reveal scene, and the audience couldn't help but laugh as he fumed beneath the table that Tartuffe and Elmire were entangled on. Corpening was also particularly proficient in keeping the delivery of his lines natural, a genuine challenge when the entire play was composed of rhyming couplets.

The choice to set "Tartuffe" in the 1950's era of nuclear families was a brilliant decision that immediately established the chipper and melodramatic vibe of a sitcom. A comedic standout that rounded out the family dynamic was Jackson De Vallance in the role of Damis. De Vallance used his smaller size to make his character's violent tendencies more ridiculous and endearing. He created some of the most memorable moments in the show as he stomped around the fountain while spying on his mother and repeatedly hefted his tennis racket in thwarted efforts to clobber Tartuffe with it.

Every technical aspect went off without a hitch and elevated the actors' performances. Designed by Daniel Wozniak, the set consisted of a fully functional fountain, a bright, manicured lawn, and the aesthetically soothing exterior of Orgon's manor. With only a few items of furniture placed on the lawn, the crisp, carefully crafted set pieces allowed the actors to interact and maneuver around them in crucial moments where one character was spying on others. Additionally, the ingenious use of hair mics prevented static and crackling during the many physically demanding scenes. There were no sound problems at all, a truly commendable feat for a high school play.

With an exemplary cast that mastered physical comedy, a picturesque set, and a top-notch crew, one thing is clear about St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School's "Tartuffe": their show delighted the whole crowd and surely did Molire proud.

Photo courtesy of Melissa Maas