Imaginary Invalid

April 14 – April 28, 2018

Gremlin Theatre, St. Paul

The Imaginary Invalid tells the story of Argan, a miserly hypochondriac who hatches a scheme to get free healthcare by marrying off one of his daughters (Angelique) to a young doctor. Dependent on extravagant cures and desperately worried about his ability to continue to pay for his medical care, he will do anything. Angelique however, having already fallen in love with someone else, has other plans for her life. Argan’s clever servant (Toinette) and gregarious brother (Beralde) come to her aid as they seek to unwind both his nefarious plot and his unhealthy obsession with quackery.

Though written over 300 years ago, The Imaginary Invalid is a strikingly-relevant, passionate farce that shines a light on the wounds we inflict upon ourselves, the scars of life, and the lengths that some will go to achieve "affordable" healthcare in a seemingly-incurable system. This fresh translation by Oded Gross features original Motown- and pop-inspired songs by Paul James Prendergast, commedia dell'arte roots, and sharp modern language.

This production was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.