Milwaukee Post
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/994757
16 • Milwaukee County Post • June 15, 2018 ENTERTAINMENT By JULIE MCHALE Post Theater Critic Moliere, a renowned French satirist, liked to use his wit to expose hypocrisy. In "Tartuffe," probably his most famous comedy, he also takes a shot at gullibility. The play was quite contro- versial when first per- formed, with the Catholic Church even threatening excommunication to those who attended. They saw it as a criticism of religion although ironically, the play is quite explicit in its moral message. No one is more vulnerable for ridicule than the reli- gious hypocrite. To tout oneself as someone beyond human frailty is an unap- pealing stance. Such a man is Tartuffe, but not everyone sees through this deceptive weasel. Orgon and his moth- er are so enamored with his piety that Orgon takes him in and showers him with favors, even diverting all his wealth from his son Damis' inheritance to the wily Tartuffe. However Orgon's wife, his brother, his chil- dren and his maid are not so easily cuckolded. They warn Orgon of Tartuffe's phoniness and exploitative ways, but Orgon continues to be gulled. Will the great pretender ever be exposed, and will the blind followers ever see the light? These are the ques- tions to be explored, and a convoluted path leads us to the answers. Director Dustin J. Martin has certainly gathered an array of fine actors who trip merrily through the rhyming couplets Richard Wilbur, the American poet, devised in translating Moliere's script. The costume designer, Claire Tidwell, also deserves mention for her authentic array of 17th-century fash- ion, including the wigs. Valere unwittingly used his to amuse us. When you see Nicholas Callan Haubner, Michael Chobanoff, Ruth Arnell, and Maggie Wirth in the same cast for openers, you know you're in for a treat. That is not to say that the portrayal of Tartuffe, Orgon (his blind admirer), Elmire (Orgon's perceptive wife) and Madame Pernelle (Orgon's gullible mother) are the only characters played with skill. There's the saucy maid Dorine (Victoria Hudziak); Damis, Orgon's flamboyant son (JJ Gatesman); Valere, Marianne's dramatic lover (Logan Milway); Marianne, Orgon's daughter, torn between love and duty (Kara Penrose), and Cleante, the voice of reason who repre- sents the Age Of Enlightenment and most echoes Moliere's viewpoint (Matthew Collie) who also render outstanding per- formances. Even the cameo roles of Monsieur Loyal (Jim Mallmann), An Officer (John Gelshenen)and Flipote (Gwyn Martin) are played with ease. "Tartuffe" was a brave choice for SummerStage to make. It is a demanding classic to tackle, but as long as we loathe hypocrites, it has a message for all of us, and its interesting charac- ters and clever dialogue will continue to amuse and instruct us. Long live those who can spot phonies and expose their chicanery. 'Tartuffe's' anti-hypocrite message still rings true "Tartuffe" The comedy runs through June 23 at SummerStage in Lapham State Park, W329- N846 County C, Town of Delafield. Call 262-337-1560 of visit Summer-Stage.org. At a glance Ruth Arnell as Elmire and Nicholas Callan Haubner as Tartuffe in SummerStage's "Tartuffe." SummerStage By CATHERINE JOZWIK Special to the Post Travel is a large part of Los-Angeles-based harpist Mary Lattimore's career, and an inspiration for many of her songs. She frequently drives across the country to perform in a variety of ven- ues and seems to enjoy the solitude. "I like the momentum," said Lattimore. Combining guitar, vocal and synthesizer effects with haunting harp strings, Lattimore explores many themes in her music, includ- ing travel, nature, mortality, and various emotions. "Really, how to navigate the world using your craft," the harpist said. Her latest album, "Hundreds of Days," has gar- nered positive reviews by music publications such as Pitchfork. Lattimore will per- form June 20 at Milwaukee's Cactus Club, 2496 S. Wentworth Ave., a stop on a national tour with Danish post-punk band Iceage. Transporting her 85-pound Lyon and Healy Concert Grand harp to shows can be a cumbersome task, especially when it comes to navigating stairs, but Lattimore said she is used to it by now. Like other stringed instru- ments, such as the guitar, the harp requires tuning before shows. Every year, Lattimore gets her harp regulated by a technician — a process which involves greasing the instrument, checking the pedal levers, noise control and more. Lattimore, who grew up in North Carolina, learned to play the harp at age 11. Her mother, also a harpist, made sure she received instruction from a relatively early age. Lattimore attended the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., where she played in the school orchestra and harp ensemble and met like-mind- ed musicians. Although classically trained, Lattimore said her music taste leans toward the experimental. While in col- lege, she worked in record stores and on independent radio stations, where she was exposed to many music gen- res. "I never saw myself fitting in," she said. After college, Lattimore moved to Philadelphia, where she made friends with many musicians who would later influence her career. Her first solo album, "The Withdrawing Room," was released in 2013 by independ- ent label Desire Path Recordings. "They were very kind to put out my album," Lattimore said. The record attracted the attention of Ann Arbor, Mich.-based label Ghostly International, which released her second album, "At The Dam," in 2016, the 2017 com- pilation "Collected Pieces" (released in cassette format), and 2018's "Hundreds of Days." Several summers ago, Lattimore was awarded a res- idency at the Headlands Center for the Arts on the northern Pacific Coast. She lived with more than a dozen artists and writers in Victorian-era military build- ings for two months and set up her music studio in a large barn, using instruments including a Moog Mother-32 analog synthesizer. The space and freedom to work fueled Lattimore's musical creativity. "It was so blissful," she said. Besides a full touring schedule, the harpist stays busy with many projects. She has collaborated with and written harp parts for many musicians ("it's good for the brain," she said), including indie rockers Arcade Fire, who will headline at Summerfest, and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, and has contributed music to var- ious film soundtracks. She is working on an album with musician Meg Baird, to be released in October. Lattimore, Baird and singer- songwriter Kurt Vile will tour Europe this fall. "I just can't stop," Lattimore said. She is looking forward to her upcoming show in Milwaukee, a city she's never been to before. "I'm really excited," Lattimore said. L.A.-inspired experimental harpist Mary Lattimore likes city's momentum Mary Lattimore will play Milwaukee's Cactus Club on Wednesday. Submitted photo