The Doctor In Spite of Himself

The Department of Theatre & Dance and Camps Players lit up Bunce Hall’s Tohill Theater last weekend with the play, “The Doctor in Spite of Himself” by Moliere. Phillip A. Graneto adapted and directed this farce about a wife’s revenge on her husband. The play takes place in the late 1840s somewhere in the south of France.

“This silly little play is certainly not Moliere’s best, and it is certainly not an example of his mature writing, yet it has captured the hearts of audiences around the world,” Graneto wrote in his Director’s Note. This is Graneto’s ninth and final directing assignment at Rowan.

The play opens with a comedic fight scene between the wife, Martine (played by senior theater major Brianne Sudia) and woodcutter husband, Sganarelle (played by sophomore theater major Kevin Melendez). Martine had the same angers as many modern wives do: husband is an ungrateful drunk.

Two stewards, Valere and Lucas (played by Radio/TV/ Film major Christopher Litton and theater major David McConney), wander the woods in search of a cure for their master’s daughter who mysteriously went dumb and could not speak. Their master, Monsieur Geronte (played by Jeremy Wright), is a wealthy man trying to arrange a marriage for his daughter, Lucinde (played by sophomore theatre major Kerry Baglivio).

Valere and Lucas approach Martine with their mission. For revenge on her husband, she tells them her husband is a great doctor who would be sure to have the cure and the only way for him to confess his profession is to beat him with sticks until he agrees. Martine’s plot for revenge works and Sganarelle goes to treat Lucinde.

The play is full of quirky lines, some vulgarity, and lots of animation. The colorful costumes fit the era to a tee, from the poofy skirts and corsets to droopy sleeved blouses under vests. The red lips and cheeks on all the actors were clearly seen all the way in the back of the theater.

The audience did have to adapt the style and era of the play; this was not performed the way plays are now. Actors spoke out to the audience and not to each other on stage. Every movement was exaggerated and repeated to create more laughter. Melendez especially perfected the silly leap steps his character did when entering and exiting a scene.

The two-act play was about an hour and a half long. Laughter filled the theater most of the time, and no one left sleepy or bored. However, the set was dull: painted wood cut-outs that were small back drops in various scenes. The professional level of acting, music, and lights made up for the lack of set. Music of the era chimed in between scenes, sometimes sounding like creepy carnival fun house music.

Surprisingly, Monsieur Geronte buys Sganarelle’s outrageous attempts at being a doctor. The story turns when Leandre (played by senior theatre and radio/TV/film major Dan Kelly) approaches Sganarelle. Leandre is in love with Lucinde, but he is not wealthy enough for the likings of her father. He tells Sganarelle a secret and says he must get to Lucinde.

Each character had a funny bit to their personality which the actors emphasized well. Monologues tended to be long and seemed too drawn out at times, but all in comedy. The dialogue was often passive. All the actors also put on an accent, not sure what kind, but it was prominent and fluid for the entire play. While Lucinde did not speak, Baglivio acted well with frustrated facial expressions.

A surprising ending tied the whole play together.

“The Doctor in Spite of Himself” will also run this weekend: Thursday Dec. 6 – Saturday Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. with a final matinee at 3 p.m. Tickets are sold outside the theater; $5 for students and seniors and $10 for general admission. For more information and advance tickets, call the Box Office at (856) 256-4545 or visit www.rowan.edu/theatredance.