'The Liar' bitingly, witty farce of comedy

The Whitefish Theatre Company is thrilled to present the bitingly, witty farce “The Liar” as the first mainstage theatre production of the 2017-2018 season.

“The Liar” is an adaptation of Pierre Corneille’s 17th century French comedy from the brilliant mind of David Ives.

“The Liar” runs at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish on Oct. 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and on Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. A sneak preview performance will be held on Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

“The Liar” is one of Ives’ “translaptations,” a combination of translation and adaptation that he spins out entirely in outrageously clever verse.

At the center of the farce is Dorante, a charming young man who wins admirers everywhere he goes, as long as he doesn’t have to tell them the truth. With each person he encounters, Dorante exaggerates and spins the truth further and further out of recognizable shape — not out of malice, mind you, but essentially because he gets carried away. The fun begins when Dorante meets Cliton, a manservant who is pathologically honest.

“In the world that often seems to devalue standards of dress, proper speech and civil behavior, what a privilege it has been to work on ‘The Liar’ as an alternative reality of wit, style, and intelligent language,” says Director David Ackroyd.

The production features Christopher Fannon, Corey Burke, Madison Wambeke, Tony Hernandez, Ashley Halle, Angie Green, Bob Fleischman and Stuart Green.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $10 for students, with reserved seating. Tickets for the sneak preview performance on Oct. 19 are $10 sold only at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, 1 Central Ave., Whitefish, or by calling 862-5371. Box office hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before performance times. Tickets can also be purchased at www.whitefishtheatreco.org. This show is sponsored by the John & Judy Melin and Chris Stanley.