Children’s Shakespeare Theatre Presents: Scapin!

Children’s Shakespeare Theatre continues its Season of Questioning Authority with a classic comedy of parents, children, lies and trickery as they perform Moliere’s Scapin. Scoundrel or hero?  Can this tricky servant do the impossible–solve all problems, fool all miserly fathers, and unite all lovers without he and his accomplice Sylvestre getting beaten for it? Jean Baptiste Poquelin (1622-1673) whose stage name was Moliere is the one of the great writers in the French language. His comedies, such as Tartuffe, The Miser and The School for Wives, have kept audiences laughing for centuries. Scapin was first performed in 1671 in Paris with Moliere himself playing the lead role. It was the last play he wrote and its creation was meant to answer his many critics. This the third time in CST’s 23-year history that it has been performed. This 352-year old play has also been a favorite of Broadway funnymen, most recently in a 2019 production starring Nyack’s own Bill Irwin.

CST’s production arrives just in time to brighten the winter doldrums with laughter and features Jack Bieger, who most recently wowed audiences as the rowdy Sir Toby Belch in CST’s production of Twelfth Night, as Scapin. Myla Zimbler plays his right-hand trickster, Sylvestre. The plot is also filled with miserly fathers–Penelope Duval as Argante and Richard Reimann Valdes as Geronte–and sighing, suffering lovers played by August Lockett, Aaron Benjamin, Anna Wennerod and Erica Winfree. The nursemaid Nerine is played by Nora Maloney who also plays Carle, the street vendor in Naples’ town square.

Scapin is produced by CST’s younger company, the Knaves (ages 8 – 14) as a way to make children of all ages lift their spirits and laugh. It is directed by CST Managing Director Grey Johnson and Maria Freschet Johnson will serve as assistant director; costumes are by Zacha Tuttle and settings by Heather Aveson.

Children Shakespeare Theatre’s 24th Season: The Season of Questioning Authority continues with productions of King Lear by the Rogues (ages 14-18) Mar 8 – 16 and will end with Two Noble Kinsmen by Shakespeare and Fletcher by the Knaves, May 10 -18, all performed on its home stage at the Palisades Presbyterian Church.

CST will also offer a special Saturday matinee performance on Feb. 3. Tickets for all performances are $20 for adults, $15 for children under 18. Group rates are also available. Teachers can see Scapin for free.

The cast and company of Children’s Shakespeare Theatre come from schools, including home schooled students, from all over Rockland, Westchester and Bergen Counties. CST is dedicated to providing a nurturing and enriching environment through the performance of classical theatre, allowing children to explore, in a safe and supportive educational setting, what it means to be human.