Review: The Thoroughly Satisfying THE BOYS OF ST. MATTHEW'S PRESENT TARTUFFE at Epic Theatre Company

Tartuffe or The Imposter, by Moliere was first performed in 1664, which may make potential theatregoers feel like they are doing something smart and sophisticated on a Friday or Saturday night by attending this production re-dubbed THE BOYS OF ST. MATTHEWS PRESENT TARTUFFE. It's a smart move, to be sure, but perhaps not quite in the way one would imagine. Kevin Broccoli's Epic Theatre Company has taken this French classic and added the frame of it being a forbidden production in an all boys school, to turn it into a raunchy, homoerotic and hilarious romp that had the tiny audience roaring with laughter, except the three rude theatre goers who talked during the first act and then abruptly left--good riddance. This may not be a show for the easily shocked or the narrow-minded, but it's certainly one for those who love a dirty joke or gesture given in a Shakespearean vernacular.

The show opens with Father Frank of the fictitious St. Matthew's School, played by Geoff White, stepping out into a misdirected spotlight in the tiny theatre. He informs the audience that the production they're about to see is not actually Tartuffe, as that play was chosen before he had a chance to read it, and it's just too inappropriate to perform. Thankfully, a pack of boys in khakis and white button-down shirts quickly swarm the set and remove the priest--presumably to a small closet where he spends the rest of the production.

Then the boys of St. Matthews announce to the audience, "buckle up, bitches". The students have taken over, and they are going to put on the production that they want to do. This production has no costumes and no sets save for a rickety, blue ladder, but through fantastic physical comedy and compelling acting tells the tale of Tartuffe.

Tartuffe is the story of a French family, a duped patriarch and a shifty grifter named Tartuffe who claims religious piety while trying to take whatever he can get his hands on. The patriarch, Orgon, played by Stevie Smith, is enamored of Tartuffe, and has allowed him to not only move into the family home, but is also considering marrying him to his daughter Mariane, just to make sure he's part of the family and can never leave. Despite the entire family's dislike and distrust of Tartuffe, Orgon cannot see anything wrong with his favorite friend until his wife is practically seduced in front of him and his family estate stolen.

Watching this particular production does take a bit of mental adjusting. Not only are all the parts played by male actors, but they are all wearing variations on the same costume. Somehow, after about ten minutes, it all make sense, and one has to be impressed that such a minimalist production feels rich and full. Added to the obviously excellent writing of Moliere are subtle touches that remind the audience that we are technically watching a rogue production put on by high school students. Nick Thibault as Madame Pernelle mutters at one point "That kid with the curly hair? I hate freshmen."

The two standout performances in this show that deserve special mention are Stephen Peterson as Dorine and Joe Di Mauro as Mariane. Dorine is the family maid who tries and ultimately fails to convince Orgon that Tartuffe is no good. Peterson has a lengthy scene full of dialogue and physical humor, and the energy never drops. His frustration with Orgon is palpable, but unlike many actors in productions with difficult or unnatural language choices, he completely knows what he's saying, and gets the audience on his side effortlessly and gracefully.

Di Mauro's Mariane is the pretty, petulant daughter of Orgon who though she's already betrothed to Valere, is in danger of being handed over to Tartuffe. S/he affects the practiced boredom that only the effortlessly beautiful can pull off without being irritating, snaps selfies and though she finds Tartuffe to be vile, maintains the affected malaise of a millennial who would rather just not think about unpleasantness. This performance serves as the touchstone to remind the audience of the play within a play, and it is just flawless. Like all great performances, both Di Mauro and Peterson became their characters, which is damn remarkable considering their characters were both women, and they weren't even wearing wigs.

The whole production is incredibly impressive considering there is no set besides a pair of double doors, and the size of the stage is approximately 12x12. Not only do the actors perform a compelling rendition of a Moliere classic, but they also manage to convince the audience that they're a bunch of impish teenagers who just want to insert a few dick jokes into the classics. It's hilarious, fresh and exciting.

THE BOYS OF ST. MATTHEWS PRESENT TARTUFFE runs through August 22nd.

All Performances @ 8pm at The Artists ExchangeLocated at 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston RI.

Runtime: 70 Minutes-no intermission. General Admission $15, Students/Seniors $12

Very Limited Seating For tickets, go to http://www.artists-exchange.org/epictheatrecompany.html

Pictured (L to R) Stevie Smith, Jerry Middlemiss, Michael Shallcross, Stephen Peterson, Nick Thibeault, Joe Di Mauro, Witt Tarantino.

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