Cleveland Play House's '80s Sitcom 'Tartuffe' Brings Classic Satire to Modern Audiences

Molière's 17th century comedy gets a clever update that resonates with today's theatergoers.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:35pm

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A bold, abstract illustration featuring stark geometric shapes and silhouettes in high-contrast red and white, conceptually representing the '80s sitcom twist on the classic play 'Tartuffe'.The Cleveland Play House's '80s sitcom adaptation of Molière's 'Tartuffe' brings the centuries-old satire into the modern era with a fresh, accessible interpretation.Cleveland Today

The Cleveland Play House's production of Molière's classic comedy 'Tartuffe' transports the 17th century satire to the 1980s, framing the story as an '80s sitcom complete with laugh tracks, campy music, and a larger-than-life patriarch. Director Jason O'Connell's unique approach makes the centuries-old material highly accessible for modern audiences, while still honoring the biting social commentary at the heart of Molière's original work.

Why it matters

Molière's 'Tartuffe' is considered a theatrical classic, but its 17th century setting and language can sometimes feel inaccessible to contemporary audiences. By reimagining the play as an '80s sitcom, the Cleveland Play House production makes the timeless themes of religious hypocrisy and social satire resonate with a modern sensibility, proving the lasting power and relevance of Molière's work.

The details

The Cleveland Play House production of 'Tartuffe' is set in the 1980s, with the audience greeted by an impressive art deco-inspired set and '80s pop hits playing in the lobby. The opening sequence frames the play as a live studio audience taping, with each character introduced with a campy, sitcom-style pose and smile. Throughout the performance, the cast delivers Molière's rhyming Alexandrine couplets with a natural, conversational rhythm that blends seamlessly with the '80s sitcom aesthetic.

  • The Cleveland Play House production of 'Tartuffe' runs through April 26, 2026.

The players

Cleveland Play House

A renowned regional theater in Cleveland, Ohio that has been producing plays since 1915.

Jason O'Connell

The director who reimagined Molière's 'Tartuffe' as an '80s sitcom for the Cleveland Play House production.

Molière

The 17th century French playwright who originally wrote the satirical comedy 'Tartuffe' in 1664.

Ranjit Bolt

The translator who adapted Molière's original French script into the English version used by the Cleveland Play House production.

Chris Thorn

The actor who portrays the stubborn patriarch Orgon in the Cleveland Play House's 'Tartuffe.'

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What they’re saying

“Much has changed in three and a half centuries, but Cleveland Play House's production, with its clever modernization of 'Tartuffe,' helps remind us of the lasting power and relevance of satire.”

— Gwendolyn Kochur, Author

What’s next

The Cleveland Play House production of 'Tartuffe' will run through April 26, 2026, giving local audiences a chance to experience Molière's classic comedy with a modern, '80s sitcom twist.

The takeaway

By reimagining 'Tartuffe' as an '80s sitcom, the Cleveland Play House production demonstrates how classic works of satire can be made highly accessible and relatable for contemporary audiences, proving the timeless relevance of Molière's biting social commentary.