Strong Performances by Young Troupe Bring the Laughs During 'Tartuffe' (Imemorabili Theatre)

Tartuffe or the Hypocrite

By Molière

Directed by Nate Brantley

Review by Loraine Lawson

Entire contents are copyright © 2026 Loraine Lawson. All rights reserved.

Imemorabili Theatre is a new theatre collective in Louisville started by four college students, two of whom recently graduated. If you haven’t heard of the group, then tonight’s 7 p.m. production of Tartuffe would be a good introduction.

Tartuffe is a play by French satirist Molière in 1664 about a religious hypocrite who uses his false piety to win over a rich aristocrat with a plan to steal the man’s wife and estate. Director Nate Brantley didn’t mince words at the Friday night showing — he had plenty of ideas about where to set the production, with plenty of religious and political hypocrites to consider. He set his play in the 1980s during the Ronald Reagan administration with its Iran Contra scandal and numerous televangelist preachers.

But while the director opened with a very political strong message, the play itself does not actually take aim at politicians so much as it does religious hypocrites.

Tartuffe manages to convince Orgon, a wealthy ton patriarch, that he is a deeply pious man, all while conniving to steal Orgon’s estate and his wife — oh, perhaps even marry his daughter.

Moliere is a like Shakespeare in that it can take the ear awhile to acclimate to the poetic linguistic style. The open scene was a bit difficult to understand due to the speed of the speech and the fact the actors’ are not miked.

The play begins with the family gathered around to listen to the pontifications and pronouncements of Orgon’s mother, Madame Pernelle, played by Nolan Brown. Madame Pernelle is sold on the merits of Tartuffe and decidedly critical of every one else. The family cannot convince her otherwise. Brown drew a number of laughs as the domineering matriarch.

Elmire’s brother, Cleante, played by Lachlan Apple, stood out as an exception to the sound problems — he enunciated and his voice carried, which helped the audience get its bearings with the language.

The sharp-tongued and highly opinionated maid, Dorine, was played by Kiersten Farris. Once Orgon arrives, Dorine and Cleante attempt to convince him that Tartuffe is a con.

But Orgon refuses to see and makes a pronouncement: His daughter, Mariane, played by Ella Kozoll, will marry Tartuffe instead of her betrothed, Valere, played by Sierra Conner.

Robert Erdman delivered an energetic performance as Orgon. He managed to be likable even as you wanted to shake the delusional patriarch back to reality. He was well-matched in scenes with Trace Henderson, who brought a humorous physicality to the role of Tartuffe, oozing his way across the stage in his 1980s business suit as he attempts to woe the faithful Elmire, Orgon’s second wife.

Rachel Meadors portrayed the put-upon Elmire, who has to suffer Tartuffe’s advances while her husband won’t believe her. She finally convinces him to help her set a trap: He will hide and listen while she pretends to accept Tartuffe’s advances.

The plan works and Orgon must finally admit what everyone except his mother has been saying all along: Tartuffe is a fraud. He confronts Tartuffe, but Tartuffe has a surprise: The bailiff, played with wit by Ross Just, reveals Tartuffe is taking possession of Orgon’s estate.

Meanwhile, Mariane learns her father will not force her to marry Tartuffe and she reignites with Valere, and they’re united. Both Kozoll and Conner gave strong performances in these scenes.

Also worth noting was Hayden Goebel as Damise, Orgon’s banished son. He drew laughs with his physical antics as he eagerly offers to beat up Tartuffe on the family’s behalf.

But Tartuffe’s plot is ultimately ruined when the prince’s Officer, played with panache by Lillian Cobb, arrives along with Tartuffe, who states his claims. The Officer immediately sniffs out his claim as fraud, and announces Tartuffe will be imprisoned.

This was the third show produced this year by this thrifty but powerful troupe. It should be be fun to watch it grow and expand.

Just one caveat: The pews are wooden in the Woodbine Chamber, which was previously a church. The play is a bit long for sitting without a cushion at 1 hour and 40 minutes. Also, iced water is recommended, since the building - while bearable - isn’t air conditioned and there’s no water available.

Tartuffe Imemorabili Theatre July 10-11, 2026 Woodbine Chamber

236 Woodbine St.

Louisville, KY 40208 https://www.imemorabili.com/#/team