Rowan stages new adaptation of Moliere comedy

GLASSBORO, NJ – Rowan University's Campus Players bring back a classic comedy with a new adaptation of Moliere’s The Doctor in Spite of Himself.  Performances are November 30 and December 1, 6, 7 & 8, 2007 at 8 pm, with Sunday matinees on December 2 & 9 at 3 pm in the university’s Tohill Theatre.

This Moliere farce relates the wacky tale of a wife’s revenge on her woodcutter husband, Sganarelle.  To get back at him, she informs a pair of strangers that her husband is an amazing doctor – the problem is that the only way to entice him to help or even admit that he is a doctor is to beat him mercilessly. The strangers decide to beat up Sganarelle until he agrees to treat a rich man’s daughter who has lost her ability to speak. The result is two acts of witty banter, physical comedy and laughter.

Faculty member Phillip A. Graneto wrote this new adaptation and directs the production. He notes that the play is particularly well written because it was developed from The Flying Doctor, an earlier work by Moliere. After years of performing The Flying Doctor, the playwright was able to enhance and perfect the jokes for what became The Doctor in Spite of Himself. The theatricality of the comic bits has allowed the director to create an over-the-top world in which the characters live.

“Farce has no concern with reality, which makes the whole experience more fun for both the company as well as the audience,” Graneto said.

Graneto is assisted in creating this “unreal” world by set designer Bart Healy, costume designer Martin Thaler and lighting designer Robert Thorpe. The cast features Kerry C. Baglivio of Point Pleasant as Lucinde; Rachel E. Bauer of Woolwich Township as Madame Robert; Laura Fullerton of Williamstown as Madame Thibault; Arcadea Jenkins of Millville as Jaqueline; Dan Kelly of Lakewood as Leandre; Christapher Litton of Cherry Hill as Valere; David P. McConney of Oaklyn as Lucas; Kevin Melendez of West New York, NJ as Sganarelle; Andrea Simcox of Trenton as Perrin; and Jeremy Wright of Erial as Monsieur Geronte. Gina Gagliano of Lakewood is the Stage Manager and Angela Delfino of Winslow is the Asst. Stage Manager.

Tohill Theatre is located in Bunce Hall on the campus of Rowan University, Route 322 in Glassboro, NJ. Tickets are $10, general admission; and $5 for students, staff, alumni and seniors.  For information and advance tickets, visit www.rowan.edu/theatredance or call the Box Office at (856) 256-4545.

The Doctor in Spite of Himself is produced by the College of Fine & Performing Arts, Campus Players and the Department of Theatre & Dance.