Molière

Molière (real name Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, 1622 – 1673) was a 17th century French theatre writer, director, and actor, and is considered to be a significant figure and master of satire and farce. His works generally satirized all layers of French society and focused on ridiculous figures, undone by vanity, greed, or ignorance, and the farcical complications and miscommunications which surround them. Some of his best known plays include The Imaginary Invalid, Tartuffe, The Mischievous Machinations of Scapin, and The Doctor in Spite of Himself.

Connections
Molière's plays, like those of Shakespeare, are still widely performed, from regional theater to Broadway. Many actors who have appeared in Muppet/Creature Shop productions have performed Molière.


 * Linda Bove appeared in the National Theatre of the Deaf's version of Sganarelle (Broadway, 1970)
 * Kristin Chenoweth played Hyacinth in '"Scapin'' (Off-Broadway, 1997)
 * Peter Friedman played the commander in Don Juan (Broadway, 1972)
 * John Gloverplayed Pierrot in Don Juan (Broadway, 1972) and the title role in a modernized version of Tartuffe (Broadway, 1996)
 * Bill Irwin played the title role in Scapin (Off Broadway, 1997)
 * Chatrles Kimbrough played Orgon in Tartuffe (Off-Broadway, 1999)
 * Kevin Kline was amongst the company in Scapin (Broadway, 1973)
 * T. R. Knight played Damis in Tartuffe (Broadway, 2003)
 * John Bedford Lloyd played Cléante in Tartuffe (Broadway, 2003)
 * Diana Rigg played Célimène in The Misanthrope (Broadway, 1977)
 * Marilyn Sokol played Matherine in Don Juan (Broadway, 1972)
 * David Wohl played Mr. Dimanche in Don Juan (Off-Broadway, 2003)