Translated and adapted by Frédérique Michel and Charles Duncombe
February 22 – April 7, 2019
City Garage revives its smash-hit production of Molière’s classic comedy The Bourgeois Gentleman. A Critic’s Choice in the LA Times, a Pick of the Week in the LA Weekly and nominated for numerous awards! Don’t miss the return of this madcap, silly send-up of upper class pretenstions and noveau riche aspirations!
Wealthy and foolish Monsieur Jourdain is in love with the Countess Dorimène and aches to be what he is not — a member of the aristocracy. Determined to overcome his low birth with an education in high style he unwittingly surrounds himself with charlatans and swindlers who gleefully take his money and prey on his innocence. Ingenious servants, pedantic masters, devious nobles, and earnest young lovers all propel this delightful satire of nouveau riche social climbers. And, in the end, is the “nobility” to which Jourdain so ardently aspires all that admirable?
In this acclaimed translation by Frédérique Michel and Charles Duncombe the play is re-imagined for contemporary audiences, transporting us into an extravagant fantasy world of song, dance, and upper class nonsense.
“THE BOURGEOIS GENTLEMAN had the audience laughing from start to finish… This witty tale about the nouveau riche is bound to continue to make audiences gasp for air.” — Ilana Lifshitz, Broadway World.
“Molière’s equal-opportunity satire skewers nouveau riche pretension and aristocratic snobbery in this revival of City Garage’s acclaimed 2008 production. Featuring choreography and music inspired by the original 1670 staging but adapted and re- imagined for the present by director Frédérique Michel and designer Charles Duncombe, the piece charts the risqué antics and misadventures of a social- climbing fop manipulated by con artists and ne’er-do-wells.” — Philip Brandes L.A. Times, The 99 Seat Beat
“This sleek City Garage take on Molière’s satire of nouveau riche pretensions in nominally avante-garde but mainly an ungaurded hoot. Director Frederique Michel and Designer Charles Duncombe slyly tailor our times into their tart adaptation….a gracefully loopy soufflé.” Critics Choice, LA Weekly (2009)
Joins us for a special Champagne Preview on Friday, February 22th with complimentary champagne, or for the Opening Night Gala, on Saturday, February 23th with buffet. Buy your tickets for any night of the run before February 22nd and get 30% off!
Fridays, Saturdays 8:00pm; Sundays 4:00pm
Tickets/Box Office: 310.453.9939
Buy the book on Amazon.
This project is supported by the Los Angeles County Supervisors through the LA County Arts Commission, the City of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Arts Commission.