Press release from The Magnetic Theatre:
Originally produced in 1666, The Misanthrope is a classic stage comedy that has been in constant production for three and a half centuries. The original was written by the celebrated French playwright, Moliere and was set in the ostentatious and posh world of the French aristocracy.
Playwrights Andrew Gall and Megan Powell have brought Moliere forward into the 21st century by replacing the French courtiers with rock musicians, pop divas, roadies, and assorted hangers-on. The story is much the same; Alceste, an iconoclastic rock purist, has declared he is sick of hypocrisy and will tell others exactly what he feels. He is, simultaneously, romantically involved with Cecelia, a break-out pop star, who is as shallow, venal, and not exactly the most faithful of lovers.
In order to prove his devotion to the truth, Alceste tells an aspiring rapper, ‘Lil Tastee’, who hopes to be the next Eminem, that he has no talent. Only to discover that his would-be girlfriend, the fickle Cecelia, might be carrying on with Lil Tastee behind his back.
Chaotically funny, Gall and Powell’s adaptation of The Misanthrope opened in Chicago at the Wing & Groove Theatre Company. It has been performed in across the country and the production at The Magnetic Theatre will be the first time the play has been produced in North Carolina.
THE MISANTHROPE opens Friday, November 2nd and runs through Sunday, November 18th at The Magnetic Theatre, located at 375 Depot Street in the River Arts District. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $18 for General Admission and $10 for students. For tickets and information, please visit www.themagnetictheatre.org.
Synopsis: Alceste is an iconoclastic rock purist. He has declared that he is sick of hypocrisy and will tell everyone exactly how he feels. Simultaneously, he is romantically involved with Cecelia, a break-out pop star who is shallow, venal, and not the most faithful lover. In order to prove his devotion to truth, Alceste tells would-be rapper Lil’ Tastee that he has no talent, only to discover that the fickle Cecelia might be carrying on with Lil’ Tastee behind his back.
Playwrights Andrew Gall and Megan Powell originally created this adaptation of Molière’s The Misanthrope for the Wing & Groove Theatre Company in Chicago. This production will be its North Carolina premiere.
Featuring:
Jason Phillips
Mary Katherine O’Donnell
Eugene Jones
Heather Bronson
Jered Shults
Tippin
Daniel Henry
Daniel Moore
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