A modern twist

The “Imaginary Invalid” opened Indiana University Theater’s fall line up with a modern twist on an old plot Wednesday night.

Though the play was originally written by Moliere, or Jean Poquelin in 1673, it was adapted and translated by James Magruder in 1999 and modernized by director Gavin Cameron-Webb.

Costumes consistent with the time period were intermingled with modern costumes, as the characters stepped out of the plot and onto a TV show set up with a panel of doctors.

There were also modern interruptions in the form of commercial messages that were for modern-day prescriptions to the problems the “Invalid” Argon, played by Josh Krause, was experiencing.

Former IU theater professors, Marion and R. Keith Michael came to see the showing of “Imaginary Invalid” partly because Wednesdays are slow in their household. Marion blames this on their age but also because R. Keith has personally produced more than 400 plays, and his portrait hangs in the lobby of the Ruth N. Halls Theatre where “Imaginary Invalid” is playing.

“I look just as young as I do there,” he said smiling while motioning to his portrait hanging by the entrance to the theater. “We’ve come to a lot of plays here over the years.”

R. Keith’s wife, Marion said she also had particular interest in “Imaginary Invalid” because she has connections within the community since her days teaching at IU.
“We know the director of this production,” Marion said. “We know his wife too. She was actually one of our first MFA students.”

Besides just knowing him, they also heard about the modern elements added by Gavin Cameron-Webb which drew them to this particular production.

“We heard Gavin was making some modern additions, which we were excited to see,” Marion said.

But the Michaels didn’t come alone. They stood in the lobby waiting for the show to start with their long-time friends Pat and Jack Mulholland. Pat is a retired business school professor and Jack was a former treasurer of the University.

Today, all four are members of Theatre Circle, a group whose mission is to “support and encourage the study and practice of the theatre arts at Indiana University” according to the “Imaginary Invalid” program. 

They said plays such as “Imaginary Invalid” give them something to do together while they support something important to them as well.

“We come to plays like this one together,” Jack said. “We’re all friends from when we taught together here at IU.”

Follow reporter Janica Kaneshiro on Twitter @JanicaKaneshiro.