SOUTH PORTLAND — Mad Horse Theatre Company will open their 28th season with the Maine premiere of David Ives’ smart, sparkling “The School for Lies” inspired by Moliere’s “The Misanthrope.”
It’s 1666 and the brightest, wittiest salon in Paris is that of Celimene, a beautiful young widow so known for her satiric tongue that she’s being sued for it. Surrounded by a bevy of ridiculous, yet hopeful, suitors, Celimene has managed to evade love since her beloved husband died — until today, when the mysterious Frank appears.
Armed with ruthless wit and acidic misanthropy, Frank turns Celimene’s world upside-down, taking on her suitors, matching her barb for barb, and teaching her how to live again.
With its modern language couched in cunning verse, “The School for Lies” is French farce at its finest, combining a heady mix of mistaken identity, misguided romance, deception and even drag in a slyly crafted confection.
“It just jumps right off the page,” said Christine Louise Marshall, the play’s director and designer, as well as artistic director of Mad Horse. “David Ives’ language has such musicality that it’s incredibly easy on the ears, while at the same time so smart and funny. But it requires a very smart cast, as well, to really make the rhythm sing. We absolutely have that cast. It’s a terrific season opener.”
“The School for Lies” marks the second season for Mad Horse in its own black box theater, located in the old Hutchins School in South Portland. Last year Mad Horse converted part of its production facility into a performance space.
The cast includes Mad Horse company members Burke Brimmer, Janice Gardner, Chris Horton, Kat Moraros and Nate Speckman. Guest artists are Evan Dalzell, Kerry Ann Loomis, Shawn Reardon and Johnny Speckman. Marie Stewart stage manages. Tom Wyatt designed the lighting.
“The School for Lies” runs Thursday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, Oct. 13, in the Mad Horse Theater at the Hutchins School, 24 Mosher Street.
Tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for seniors/students. Tickets can be purchased at www.madhorse.com/ticketsor. For performance times and more information, call 207-747-4148 or email madhorsetheatre@gmail.com.
Mad Horse offers Pay What You Can nights every Thursday during the run, only available at the door, while seats are available.
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