Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 10880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           985/549-2341/fax 985-549-2061
    Date: 2/5/02
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   98

"TARTUFFE" TO BE STAGED BY SOUTHEASTERN OPERA-MUSIC THEATRE
PROGRAM
     HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University's Opera-Music Theatre Program will
bring "Tartuffe," an opera based on French playwright Moliere's biting satire, to the Pottle Music
Building Auditorium March 20-23.
     The production will again unite the Department of Music and Dramatic Arts team of
producer/vocal coach Scharmal Schrock, director Larry Gray and conductor Charles Effler and
will feature a cast of Southeastern music majors, graduate students and alumni.
     Kyle Jones, a senior from Franklinton, has the title role of the seemingly pious, but
hypocritical Tartuffe, who causes chaos when he infiltrates an upstanding household in the name
of righteousness. Jones has appeared in Southeastern productions of "Die Fledermaus" and "The
Secret Garden." 
     Baton Rouge senior David Louviere, also a Southeastern opera veteran, has the role of
Orgon, Tartuffe's wealthy dupe. The cast also includes Amanda Tarver, a senior from Gonzales,
as Orgon's second wife, Elmire, and graduate student Tom Irwin of New Orleans as Damis,
Orgon's son. 
     Southeastern music alumnus Cedric Bridges of Abita Springs, who is currently on leave
as head of the gifted and talented program at Covington High School while he takes additional
graduate courses at Southeastern, will portray Valere, the fianc‚ of Orgon's daughter, Mariane.
Junior Daveda Karanas of Mandeville has been cast as Orgon's mother, Madame Pernelle, and 
graduate students Heather Rains of Covington and Lara Tillotson of Flower Mound, Texas, will 
share the role of Mariane. Sophomore Jacquie Brecheen and senior Summer Grest, both of
Ponchatoula, will alternate in the roles of the maids Dorine and Flipote.
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"TARTUFFE"   Add One
     The  "incredibly well-crafted" opera, Schrock said, "is funny; it's Moliere!"
     The opera take place in 17th century Paris at Orgon's sumptuous home, where Tartuffe
leads a double life of good and pure sin. To win Orgon's admiration, as well as his wife,
property, and wealth, Tartuffe fools Orgon   but not Orgon's family -- into believing his many
good religious deeds. Completely under Tartuffe's religious spell, Orgon forces his daughter
Mariane to break off her marriage with Valere and marry Tartuffe. Orgon's son Damis, his wife
Elmire and family members set up a trap to reveal Tartuffe's true intentions.
     John Hecker of Hammond, former technical director at Tulane University, will join forces
with current Tulane technical director Michael Batt to design the set and lighting, respectively,
for "Tartuffe." Mandy Valentine is stage manager and Anna Pfeil is wardrobe mistress.
     Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $10, general admission. Southeastern students
are admitted free with their university I.D. Discount tickets of $5 are available to high school
students, also with I.D.
     For additional information on "Tartuffe," call Southeastern's Music and Dramatic Arts
Department at 985-549-2184.
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsp02.html