The Imaginary Invalid Ends ACT's Season, Begins June 7

American Conservatory Theater lowers the curtain on its seminal 40th anniversary season with Constance Congdon's world premiere adaptation of Moliere's riotous send-up of wealth and wellness, The Imaginary Invalid to play June 7 - July 8.

"A source of some of the most hilariously over-the-top comedic characters in dramatic literature, The Imaginary Invalid lampoons the 17th-century health care industry," states press notes, "The play explores the maladies and mischief of the wealthy Monsieur Argan, a penny-pinching hypochondriac who believes in nothing and no one except the dubious diagnoses his quack doctors keep delivering. When the miserly Argan hatches a plan to acquire free medical care by marrying off his eldest daughter, Angelique, to his doctor's bumbling son, his plans become thwarted when she falls madly in love with another man. Surrounded by medical professionals who constantly flatter his self-deception and a wife who'll stop at nothing to gain control his purse strings, Argan stumbles upon a way to save his family, his fortune, and himself: he will become his own doctor. The Imaginary Invalid is widely regarded as one of the greatest classical comedies in the canon."

The Imaginary Invalid is directed by Bay Area native Ron Lagomarsino, who directed the original productions of Driving Miss Daisy (off-Broadway) and The Last Night of Ballyhoo (Broadway), as well as ACT's production of The Gamester two seasons ago.

The cast features John Apicella (Argan), Rene Augesen (Beline), Nancy Dussault (Toinette), Anthony Fusco (Fleurant/De Bonnefoi), Steven Anthony Jones (Purgeon), Gregory Wallace (Thomas), Allison Jean White (Angelique), Jud Williford (Cleante).  Designed by Erik Flatmo (sets), Beaver Bauer (costumes), Nancy Schertler (lights), Fabian Obispo (sound and original music).

Previews are June 7 - 12, opening night is June 13 at 8PM, with performances through July 8.

Tickets ($13.50-$81.50) can be purchased at the ACT Box Office at 405 Geary Street at Mason, by calling 415-749-2228 or online at www.act-sf.org.

Performances are Tuesdays - Saturdays at 8PM (except June 19 at 7PM; Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2PM (no matinee June 13).  Additional performance July 1 at 7PM.  No performances on July 4.

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