The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre (The Gamm) will close its 2006 season La Bête, American playwright David Hirson's laugh-a-minute, award-winning French farce, a take-off on the work of the Moliere. Even the main character, Elomire, is named after Moliere, provided you're willing to unscramble the letters.

High-minded and haughty, Elomire has a plum job leading a 17th-century acting company in the court of her mercurial patron, Prince Conti. But when she's ordered to accept a buffoon of a street performer-the hilarious, megalomaniacal Valere-into her troupe, Elomire is forced to choose between a life of poverty for the sake of her art, or selling out for comfort. Audaciously funny and told entirely in rhyming verse, Hirson's dazzling nod to Moliere's life and works is among the funniest American plays of the past 20 years. Winner of the 1992 Olivier Award for Best Comedy.

The mock-Moliere has a thoroughly modern sensibility, including its message about the push-and-pull between true art and popular entertainment. Or as Prince Conti puts it, "…mediocrity is bound to thrive. While excellence must struggle to survive!"

Gamm Artistic Director Tony Estrella, who plays the buffoon or "beast" of the title, praised Hirson for taking brave chances rarely seen on the American stage, starting with an entire script composed in rhymed verse. "Hirson's La Bête has a profound intelligence that matches its comedic ambitions. It would be enough that the play generates as much comedic energy as it does. But beyond that, Hirson gives us a huge brain and a mighty heart," Estrella said. "This is the funniest play I have had the privilege of working on in my ten years as a professional actor. It also happens to be one of the smartest."

La Bete was David Hirson's Broadway debut in 1991. It received five Tony nominations, six Drama Desk nominations, the Oppenheimer Award, the John Gassner Award and the Dramatists Guild’s Marton Prize for best new American Playwright. The London production won the 1992 Olivier Award for comedy of the year.

Fred Sullivan, Jr., who has directed recent Gam productions Barrymore and The Crucible, directs a cast of comedic talents including many Gamm audience favorites. Bejart is played by Sam Babbitt. Madeleine Bejart, Joan Batting. Marquise Therese DuParc, Karen Carpenter, Valere, Tony Estrella, and Catherine De Brie is played by Deborah Jackson. Rene De Parc is played by Ben Johnson, Elomire by Jeanine Kane, Prince Conti by Steve Kidd,De Brie, by Jim O'Brien and Dorine by Casey Seymour Kim.

Assistant Director is Chris Byrnes, set & costume design is by David T. Howard, lighting design is by Matt Terry, and stage management is by Stef Work. The assistant stage manager & wardrobe coordinator is Elizabeth Gotauco; assistant stage manager is Adrienne Johnson and dramaturge is by Jennifer Madden. The production also features original busts sculpted by Americo Carroccio

The production runs from May 18 through June 18 at The Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange St., Pawtucket, RI. Founded in 1984 as Alias Stage, the nonprofit Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre performs great works of the classic and modern theater in an intimate setting that fosters the vital relationship between author, actor and audience. As the cornerstone of The Arts Exchange at the Pawtucket Armory, The Gamm seeks to engage and enrich the community through affordable entertainment and educational programming. The Gamm is a member of New England Area Theatre (NEAT), a bargaining unit of the Actors Equity Association.

Tickets $23 & $26, all previews (May 18-22) ONLY $16! Discounts for subscribers, groups of 10 or more, seniors and students. For single ticket sales, call 401-723-4266. Or purchase tickets at www.arttixri.com. More information at www.gammtheatre.org.

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