The Imaginary Invalid - Free Molière in the Park

Name: The Imaginary Invalid - Free Molière in the Park
Start: 2024-08-24T16:00:00-07:00
End: 2024-08-24T18:30:00-07:00
Location: 41 Somerset Place, Berkeley, CA, United States, California 94707

Schedule

Sat Aug 24 2024 at 04:00 pm to 06:30 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

41 Somerset Place, Berkeley, CA, United States, California 94707 | Berkeley, CA

Actors Ensemble's second production of our 2024 Summer Season in the beautiful John Hinkel Park is Moliere's "The Imaginary Invalid", adapted by Constance Congdon, from the translation by Dan Smith, directed by Jay Manley with assistance from Jane Goodwin. Free-of-charge, reservations encouraged (especially for those in wheelchairs or with limited mobility) but not necessary.
In "Imaginary", one of Molière's best-loved comedies, the rich hypochondriac Argan decides to marry off his beautiful daughter Angélique, in love with the kind but clueless Cleante, to a family of greedy and conniving doctors in an attempt to lessen his medical bills - only to be foiled by his household led by the witty maid Toinette.
With: Maureen Coyne (Fleurant), Jacqueline Fernandez (Béline), David Ghilardi (Purgeon), Bruce Kaplan (Argan), Joshua Roberts (Cléante), Kim Saunders (Toinette), Stanley Spenger (De Bonnefoi), Skylar Wuolle (Angélique) and Jean-Paul Zuhur (Claude). Costumes by Lyre Alston, Set design by Kirsten Yamaguchi, props by Susan Dunn.
The amphitheatre seats well over 300 people and consists of a series of stone steps. Low lawnchairs are acceptable, or bring pillows and/or blankets. The amphitheatre is wheelchair accessible with 5 spot, s for wheelchairs or those who cannot climb steps and need a special chair, and 8 benches for wheelchair companions or folks who cannot climb ysteps but can sit on benches , all at ground level - please make a reservation so we can reserve these spots. In addition, for those with limited mobility we will reserve places in the first few rows, which requires climbing a few steps (there are railings). No chairs are provided, please bring your own and/or pillows/blankets. For all others, we encourage you to make a reservation (and make a donation!) so we have some idea of who is coming (helps to plan concessions), but seats are on a first-come/first-served basis. There a single handicap parking spot close to the amphitheatre and some additional spots along Somerset which are reasonably accessible for wheelchairs - we encourage folks to be dropped off.
John Hinkel Park Amphitheatre is at 41 Somerset Pl., Berkeley, CA 94707. Access is via Arlington Avenue, turn right on Southampton, then continue straight onto Somerset. Note that Google Maps will direct you to locations at the top of the park along San Diego Road - quite a hike down. There is very limited parking at the amphitheatre, due to the addition of a playground which swallowed up most of the existing parking. There is some parking along Arlington, Somerset, Southhampton, and San Diego Road - we encourage folks to ride bicycles or use ride services. The closest BART station is the North Berkeley BART. The #7 AC Transit bus stops right at the corner of Arlington and Southampton.
The production lasts about two hours, including a short intermission where hot dogs, veggie dogs, and corn-on-the-cob will be available.