Jesse Terrill tries Steve Beall’s patience in Journeymen’s sharp production of Moliere’s Tartuffe. Written by DCist contributor Andrej Krasnansky. How can a 17th-century play, written entirely in rhyming couplets and aimed at the French aristocracy, be relevant today? The same way even Clinton-era South Park is still enjoyable: Concentrated satire has a long shelf life. Moliere’s play Tartuffe portrays a rich man, Orgon, taken in by Tartuffe, a sinner wearing the hairshirt of a…

When a 17th century play feels fresh, contemporary and accessible, without having to modernize the setting or pull any other tricks, you know a production is on to something. Enter Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of Moliere’s Don Juan. The Don Juan legend is fairly commonplace at this point: rich lord seduces the ladies, over and over again, without regrets, and ultimately has to answer for his indiscretions. Directed and translated by Stephen Wadsworth, the new…

December may have been classic musical central, but January brings a new year and host of exciting options, heavy topics and renowned playwrights showcased by local theatres. Opening this week is Studio Theatre’s anticipated Neil LaBute Festival, highlighting the work of the often-caustic man responsible for, among other things, The Shape of Things and In The Company Of Men. The festival kicks off with Fat Pig, which explores whether a man can overcome his friends’…