The Saint Mary’s College Department of Communication Studies, Dance, and Theatre is proud to present a modern adaptation of Molière’s “The Misanthrope” (#SMCmisanthrope).

Moliere’s comedy is about love, friendships, gossip, and rumors. Characters struggle to keep their friends as they decide what is safe to say to whom, and about whom.

The French comedy, written in 1666, is about love, friendships, gossip, and rumors — human themes that transcend time and place. While the names of the characters and the script remain as Molière penned them, the setting has been changed from a king’s court to a modern-day nightclub called The Misanthrope (pronounced “miss-in-thrope”). In another modern twist, characters use texts and social media to deliver some lines and communicate their thoughts. One character during the play, for instance, changes his relationship status on Facebook from “in a relationship” to “it’s complicated.”

Nia Parillo ’15 and Claire Stewart ’15, who took a communication studies course on social media over the summer with associate professor Colleen Fitzpatrick, were enlisted to weave social media use into the 350-year-old script. They’re considering ways that the audience might receive texts, selfies, and social media updates from characters on stage. And that’s not the play’s only interactive opportunity. At intermission, audience members are encouraged to go on stage and belly up to the bar for a non-alcoholic beverage.

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 12, 13 and 14, and at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 16. There is not a Saturday performance because of a University of Notre Dame football home game.

All performances will be at the Little Theatre.Tickets are $13 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for SMC/ND/HCC faculty and staff and $8 for SMC/ND/HCC students.

To chat about it on social media, please include the hashtag #SMCmisanthrope.

Source: Saint Mary’s College