The Miser

Can love triumph over evil? Certainly. But can love triumph over money?

Moliere's The Miser gives us a character so outrageous, so grotesque, that he will sooner sacrifice his children rather than spend a penny of his precious gold. Drawing us in with sharp wit and extreme circumstances, Moliere creates a rollicking farce filled with lovers, vows, mistaken identity and a man so greedy that not even the audience will be safe from his clutches. The Miser previews April 3 & 4, Opens April 5 and runs Thursday-Sunday until May 2 at the Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley.

Moliere transformed French theater by using comedy as a satirical weapon. Harpagon, the stingiest man alive, is so twisted in his behavior that he becomes ironically laughable. Audiences will find a guilty pleasure in his most diabolical actions. Yet Moliere also uses humor to make several pointed, disturbing statements about human nature. Written in 1668, The Miser is loosely based upon Plautus' Pot of Gold (Aulularia) but Moliere was also profoundly influenced by Commedia dell'arte. The Shotgun Players production, a modern translation by David Chambers, will take inspiration from Moliere's physical style of comedy to create a performance that is sure to amuse, while also asking: what do you value?

For the first time ever, Shotgun Players is proud to announce a season of Free Admission theater with this inaugural performance of The Miser in its new home at the Julia Morgan Theatre. Using the successful model of their free outdoor summer show as a starting point, the decision to make all shows Free-Admission with a pass-the-hat donation request after the show, is based on a new campaign to make theatre accessible to everyone. Shotgun wants our community to think about their relationship to art and the value they choose to give it in their lives. People who have never thought of themselves as "supporters of the arts" will, with their contribution of 2 or 5 or 20 dollars, begin to consider what value art has in their lives.

The Miser cast will feature Shotgun company members Clive Worsley as Harpagon, and Andy Alabran as Cleante. Also included in the cast are Robert Martinez, Fontana Butterfield, Phil Sheridan, Eric Burns, Emily Jourdan and Joe Wyka. Andrea Weber (Mother Courage, Iphigenia and Skriker) will choreograph movement in the play. Valera Coble (Oedipus Rex and Fairy's Tale among others) will make the costumes, and Lisa Clark will design and build the production's set and props. Shotgun Artistic Director Patrick Dooley will direct.

DATES
previews April 3 & 4, Opens April 5 and runs Thursday-Sunday until May 2 at the Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley

[Directions to Julia Morgan Theatre]

TIMES
8 pm Thurs. - Sat. shows
7 pm Sun. shows

PRICES
Free, with a pass-the-hat donation after the performance
For information about membership, click here

(Read our ticketing/ reservation policies)

The Reviews
are coming in!

East Bay Express
"So Cheap It's Funny"
Shotgun shifts gears with delightful Molière.

Oakland Tribune
"Nothing stingy about Shotgun's season-opening 'Miser'"

Berkeley Daily Planet
"Shotgun Players Serve Up Some Serious Silliness"

SF Weekly
"Letting Go - The gleeful, infectious exploding of a classical play"

Montclarion
SF Bay Guardian
SF Gate
SF Tribune (Spanish)
Berkeley Voice