San Diego Theater Preview: THE IMAGINARY INVALID (Fiasco Theater at The Old Globe)

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by Tony Frankel on June 1, 2017

in Theater-Los Angeles,Theater-Regional

AN IMAGINARY IMAGINARY

Back in March, Roundabout Theatre announced their plans for 2017. After collaborating with Fiasco Theater on their acclaimed paired-down production of Into the Woods in 2015, Roundabout has named Fiasco their company in residence. This means Fiasco will be provided with an artistic home and full use of Roundabout’s resources to continue developing their work. But Old Globe’s Artistic Director Barry Edelstein also had his eye on the company since their amazing Into the Woods played the Globe with resounding success (see my review).

Edelstein offered a commission to Fiasco, namely co-Artistic Directors (and married couple) Jessie Austrian and Noah Brody, and recommended some plays ripe for adaptation. Given that the majority of Fiasco’s projects have been Shakespeare, it’s thrilling to hear that they chose a suggestion which is classical and one which definitely resonates with our era–the timeless 1673 classic Imaginary Invalid by Molière.

This brand new production at The Old Globe Theatre officially opens tonight, June 1, 2017, and runs through July 2, an extension from the original closing date due to a high demand for tickets.

In this outrageously funny masterpiece, the hypochondriac Argan wants his daughter to marry a doctor so he can save on his medical bills. But she’s in love with someone else. Soon the whole household joins in her madcap scheme to save true love and give Argan’s doctors a dose of their own medicine. Given the mission of Fiasco Theater is to offer dynamic, actor-driven, joyful productions of classic and new plays, the evening promises to be a tonic for what ails you, or just what the doctor ordered.

The core of Fiasco Theater has been together for at least 15 years. Most met at graduate school, so many members of the company have known each other since their bachelor/baccalaureate days. They’ve been together all that time and creating theater since 2008, so they work like a family. Being an actor-driven company, all of the conceptualization and direction is done by actors–the people performing in the show.

photos by Jim Cox

The Imaginary Invalid
Fiasco Theatre Company
Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage at The Old Globe in Balboa Park
Tues & Wed at 7:00; Thurs & Fri at 8:00; Sat at 2:00 & 8:00; Sun at 2:00 & 7:00
ends on July 2, 2017
for tickets, call 619.234-5623 or visit The Old Globe

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