One might find a production of a classic to be a yawn, but Timothy Mooney has pushed to make his one man show "Moliére Than Thou" appeal to all
audiences.
"I've re-written his work with new rhymed pentameter extracting the funniest monologues of his career," Mooney said of the French 17th-century playwright.
In the comedic monologue, Mooney plays Moliére, a playwright of a production troop sponsored by King Louis XIV. When his entire troupe becomes ill the night of the play, Moliére is forced to take the stage on his own.
"It offers up an opportunity to portray (Moliére's) favorite characters over the years," said Mooney.
Mooney has been performing this particular show for five years, including three years on the road. He said that he has put about 150,000 miles on his car traveling all over the country as well as parts of Canada.
"I've hit all four corners at this point," said Mooney.
For those involved in planning the production, some are anticipating it with high expectations.
"Moliére is certainly one of the greatest in theater literature," said Bradley Daughtry, marketing and development director of the School of Theatre Arts.
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UA students are helping to put on the production as well by getting involved in the technical aspects.
"It will be interesting not to be part of the creative experience but just have to put (the set) up and take it back down for the booked production," said Marisa Dorn, a theatre production junior who is the stage manager for the event.
Having a booked production run this time of year is not something the theatre department traditionally does.
"We wanted to add something to enhance our season," Daughtry said.
Mooney says that throughout his touring, "Moliére Than Thou" has received great audience feedback.
"(Moliére) pops the balloon of pretentiousness with satirical wit," Mooney said. "You don't have to understand history to understand that kind of human behavior."
Mooney noted that his re-working of the language has caused the play to appeal to college students.
"My background is with theater, and my direction is to capture the comic movement with the most clever language that I can apply to movement," Mooney said.
"Moliére Than Thou" will be held at the Marroney Theatre, at the southeast corner of North Park Avenue and East Speedway Boulevard, on Monday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25. Senior and student discounts are available.