Production of “The Imaginary Invalid” coming to CGS this fall

Toinette and Argan argue over the many cures. Courtesy of Portland Center Stage

Catlin Gabel School (CGS) players’ fall production of the revamped french farce “The Imaginary Invalid” promises entertainment. The plays will run Nov. 15, 16, and 17 in Cabell Theater.

According to director Kym Herbst, the play is “funny but also quite moving at the end.” ]

“I want [the audience] to walk away with a deeper appreciation for living life in the moment and for the appreciation of the health and community that we all live in,” she shared.

“The Imaginary Invalid” follows the story of Argan, a hypochondriac old woman who believes herself stricken with every illness imaginable. She tries a variety of ridiculous remedies provided by the many doctors that surround her. Argan plans to marry off her daughter to a young doctor to save on medical costs.

The play is a farce, defined by Lexico as a “comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay and typically including crude characterization and ludicrously improbable situations.” In other words, expect to see slapstick comedy.

Herbst looks forward to directing a farce because of its comedic nature. Additionally, this type of play and the physical comedy involved is a new experience for the actors to tackle.

Eight ninth graders, Reese Hart, Dylan Beckett, Micah Powch, Soren Cowell-Shah, Ryan Jan, Dugan Sanford, Stella Alvarez, and Zoie Calora, join the cast.

According to Madeline Herbst who plays the lead, Argan, the audience should expect “lots of laughter.” Sure, there may be “a little crying” as she put it, but “it's a really funny show.”

Click here to see the promo video of the Oregon Shakespeare's 2011 production.