The Imaginary Invalid Opens at Portland Center Stage 1/11

With gaseous energy and outrageous jokes, The Imaginary Invalid hits the boards at Portland Center Stage, in a new adaptation by Constance Congdon of the classic comedy by Molière. The Imaginary Invalid previews on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, with opening night set for January 14, and performances through February 6. Performance times are Tuesday through Sunday, 7:30 pm, with matinees at 2:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and some Thursday matinees at noon. Tickets start at $33 for full adult prices, with student and under age 30 discounts available. Rush tickets may be available for some performances at $20 each. For a full calendar of performances and ticket availability, visit the show page at http://www.pcs.org/invalid.

All the world's a fart joke in Congdon's hilarious new take on Molière's skewering of a health care crisis from an entirely different century. To quell his growing pile of medical bills, Monsieur Argan, a chronic hypochondriac attended by Dr. Purgeon, will go to any length to marry his daughter Angelique off to a doctor's nephew, Claude De Aria. Of course, his daughter has other ideas, in love as she is with Cleante. Toinette, a servant in the household, uses her wiles to keep this comic roundelay alive, as Argan's much younger and beautiful wife Beline has designs for her own romantic aspirations. A narcotic cocktail of romantic triangles, double entendres and mistaken identities ensues, promising to leave you gasping, giggling and possibly... in stitches. Artistic Director Chris Coleman, who is also directing the production, has assembled a cast of actors from both Portland and from around the country.

Scenic Design is by William Bloodgood. Period costumes are by Jeff Cone. Lighting design is by Peter Maradudin and sound designer is Casi Pacilio. Original music is by Randall Tico.

Production Sponsors for The Imaginary Invalid are Umpqua Private Bank and Ten01.

Portland Center Stage's 2009/10 season is funded in part by Umpqua Private Bank, the Regional Arts & Culture Council and Work for Art; the Oregon Arts Commission; the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation; and Tim & Mary Boyle.

Portland Center Stage inspires our community by bringing stories to life in unexpected ways. Established in 1988 as an off shoot of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, PCS became an independent theater in 1994 and has been under the leadership of Artistic Director Chris Coleman since May 2000. The company presents a blend of classic, contemporary and original productions in a conscious effort to appeal to the eclectic palate of theatergoers in Portland. PCS also offers a variety of education and outreach programs for curious minds from six to 106, including discussions, classes, workshops and partnerships with organizations throughout the Portland metro area.

THE GERDING THEATER AT THE ARMORY houses a 599-seat Main Stage and the 200-seat black box Ellyn Bye Studio. It was the first building on the National Register of Historic Places, and the first performing arts venue, to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification. The Gerding Theater at the Armory opened to the public on Oct. 1, 2006. The capital campaign to fund the renovation of this hub for community artistic activity continues.

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