Seattle, WA – Seattle Repertory Theatre features a gassy comedy that will have you questioning your own health care in The Imaginary Invalid, written by Molière, adapted by Constance Congdon, directed by David Schweizer. The Imaginary Invalid plays in the Bagley Wright Theatre from February 21 through March 22. Previews begin February 21, with opening night set for February 27. Tickets are available through the Seattle Repertory Theatre box office seven days a week at (206) 443-2222, toll-free at (877) 900-9285, as well as online at www.seattlerep.org.
The Play: Molière's zany satire on the world of medicine—the questionable cures and the costs—is a swirl of romantic triangles, double entendres and mistaken identities. To quell his growing pile of medical bills, Monsieur Argan, a chronic hypochondriac, will go to any length to marry his daughter off to a doctor. Of course, his daughter has other ideas. Constance Congdon gives this Molière classic is a full dose of her own brand of pure hilarity.
The Adaptor: Playwright Constance Congdon’s many works include Tales of the Lost Formicans (over 200 productions worldwide), Casanova, Dog Opera, The Automata Pietà, and So Far: The Children of the Elvi. In addition to Molière’s Invalid, she has adapted his Misanthrope (commissioned and premiered by San Francisco’s A.C.T. in 2000) and Tartuffe. Congdon has written several opera librettos and eight plays for the Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis. She teaches playwriting at Amherst College.
The Director: David Schweizer makes his return to Seattle Repertory Theatre, where he previously he directed Aliens In America and Sugar Plum Fairy. He has been directing original theater, opera, and performance work for 30 years, beginning with his New York debut at age 22 with Shakespeare's Troilus And Cresseda at Lincoln Center. In between, some career highpoints include residencies in Warsaw, Lisbon, Prague, Sarajevo, Hamburg, London, and Toga Village, Japan. His last Molière was James Magruder's new adaptation of The Miser at Center Stage. Some years ago, he made his Seattle debut with a collaboration between the New City Theater and Milwaukee's Theatre X creating the multi-media theater piece A History of Sexuality inspired by the works of Michel Faucoult, which went from the New City space here on Capitol Hill on to a triumphant European Tour.
Performance Details: Performances of The Imaginary Invalid are at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday with 2:00 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sundays. There will be no performance on Thursday, February 28. Pay-What-You-
Media Inquiries: Please contact Ilana Balint at 206-443-2231 or ilanab@seattlerep.org
