The Imaginary Invalid

 The Imaginary Invalid
Red Bull Theater
New World Stages
June 14, 2025

Photo courtesy of Red Bull Theater

Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation of Molière’s The Imaginary Invalid is light, silly, and a lot of fun.  The Red Bull Theater production is sharp and stylistic.  Director Jesse Berger has gathered a diverse and stellar cast, who keeps the timing tight and evenly paced.  Their characters are clean and crisp.  The action drives the humor, and it all ends on a joyous high point. 

Argan (played by Mark Linn-Baker) is a hypochondriac.  To save on his doctor bills, he decides that his daughter, Angelique (played by Emilie Kouatchou) will marry Thomas Diafoirus (played by Russell Daniels), the son of one of his three physicians (all played by Arnie Burton).  Argan is unaware that Angelique has accepted the marriage proposal of Clèante (played by John Yi).  Argan’s maid, Toinette (played by Sarah Stiles) takes Angelique’s side on her decision to go against her father’s wishes.  This makes Argan decide to disinherit his daughter and leave all his money to his second wife, Bèline (played by Emily Swallow).  Toinette comes up with a plan to make Argan see the error in his decision before the lawyer, De Bonnefoi (played by Manoel Feliciano), who is also Bèline’s secret lover, notarizes Agran’s revised will. 

Mark Linn-Baker & Sarah Stiles
Photo courtesy of Red Bull Theater

From the very start of the show, Mark Linn-Baker captures the audience’s attention.  His comic timing
keeps them empathetic to his situation throughout the ninety-minute performance.  He has an excellent connection with Sarah Stiles.  Ms. Stiles’ portrayal of Toinette is dry and sarcastic, while Mr. Linn-Baker’s Argan is boisterous and demanding.  Together they drive the action.  Arnie Burton creates the roles of three different doctors.  His characters are daring and distinct.  His quick changes and comic delivery are highly entertaining.  Emilie Kouatchou and John Yi are perfect together as Angelique and Clèante.  Ms. Kouatchou’s character is determined and self-assured, while Mr Yi’s is flighty and self-absorbed.  Bold and hilarious performances are also delivered by Russell Daniels, Manoel Feliciano, and Emily Swallow. 

The Full Cast of The Imaginary Invalid
Photo courtesy of Red Bull Theater

Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation is skillfully crafted, merging Molière’s plot with present day references and clever lyrics to Broadway show tunes.  The scenic design, by Beowulf Boritt, draws the audience into Molière’s setting and time period with bright colors and a witty flair.  The costumes by Tilly Grimes are a perfect blend of period, character, and social commentary.

The Imaginary Invalid is playing at New World Stages through June 29.  You need to see this light and silly comedy.  Get a ticket before it closes! 

Domenick Danza

Hand to God

Hand to God

The Booth Theatre

March 20, 2015

Photo courtesy of Hand to God

Hand to God is aptly subtitled “a new American play.”  It questions the definitions of good and evil by separating them from the various grey areas in between.  A concept every American would benefit to examine and reflect upon.  Playwright Robert Askins writes with a unique, edgy wit.  The script is strikingly sobering.  The show is cunningly directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel.  Steven Boyer is stellar as Jason.  He and the entire cast (Geneva Carr, Marc Kudisch, Michael Oberholtzer, and Sarah Stiles) serve up authentic performances that are remarkable, raw, and funny.

The first act will make you laugh and agree that yes, when the world hands you more than you can manage, put on a sock puppet, let it curse like crazy, and say the devil made you do it.  This is what the main character, Jason, does when he is overwhelmed with feelings of abandonment by the death of his father and the emotional detachment of his mother.  The second act gets real and violent and psychological as we see the depth of Jason’s despair.  The mood shifts from hysterical to disturbing.  Everyone in the audience stopped laughing (at different times) as they began to realize the level of volatility and frustration the character was embodying. 

The play was so good that I bought the refrigerator magnet… at intermission.  I usually wait until the end of the show.  This is strong seal of approval in my book, and the best $10 ever spent.  

My refrigerator Broadway show magnet collection.

Hand to God is presently in previews and officially opens April 7.  Go see this play!  It is a skillfully crafted work that uses humor to unmask truth.  A truth we all need to face.

Steven Boyer in "Hand to God"
Photo courtesy of Hand to God

A personal take away:  As a NYC Public High School teacher, certain students tend to go off (on a rant) on a regular basis with various expletives for any number of reasons.  Perhaps the next time this happens (I am thinking of one student in particular), I will picture her devilish voice coming from a sock puppet attached to her left hand.  This will allow me to 1) laugh at the absurdity of the situation, and 2) be empathetic to the level of fear and hurt that her outburst is covering.  Profound or sarcastic?  We’ll see.  I am sure I will have a chance to put this experiment into action this week.

Domenick Danza