Yuba College Theatre will hold auditions Aug. 25 and 26 for its fall production of Molière’s “The Hypocrite/Tartuffe,” directed by Yuba College theatre faculty member Conrad Cecil. Photo courtesy of Yuba College Theatre

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Yuba College Theatre is looking for actors to take on one of theatre’s most notorious hypocrites this fall, as auditions open later this month for Molière’s “The Hypocrite/Tartuffe.” Auditions for the classic comedy will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 25 and 26 at Yuba College Theatre, with callbacks scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 27.

The production will also mark a first for director Conrad Cecil, a Yuba College theatre faculty member who has previously worked with productions at the college as an acting and vocal coach and in associate and co-directing roles. “The Hypocrite” will be his first time taking the helm of a full Yuba College Theatre production.

Using Christopher Hampton’s translation of Molière’s “Tartuffe,” the comedy follows Orgon, a successful businessman in the grip of a midlife crisis who falls under the influence of Tartuffe, a charismatic grifter masquerading as a deeply religious man. Before long, Tartuffe has maneuvered his way into Orgon’s home, secured his daughter’s hand in marriage and gained control of the family property — all while attempting to seduce Orgon’s wife, Elmire. Elmire, however, is no fool. With the help of the sharp-eyed Dorine, the women begin working to expose Tartuffe before he can completely dismantle the family.

Cecil has described the comedy as “a play about outwitting the boogeyman,” with the production leaning into the story’s themes of deception, hypocrisy and misplaced trust. For the Yuba College production, Cecil is transporting the 17th-century French comedy to the 1980s — an era of televangelism, conspicuous wealth and, naturally, plenty of shoulder pads.

Though this will be Cecil’s first full directing assignment at Yuba College Theatre, he brings a lengthy professional career in acting and directing to the production. Born and raised in England, Cecil is a classically trained actor who studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and King’s College London and trained as an actor at East 15 Acting School. He later lived in Paris, where he ran a theatre company and performed in both French and English.

His film credits include “Female Agents,” alongside Sophie Marceau; “The Silence of Joan,” with Liam Cunningham and Clémence Poésy; and “Requiem for a Killer.” His stage work includes Shakespearean roles such as Richard II, Benedick in “Much Ado About Nothing” and Prince Hal in “Henry IV, Part I.” Cecil has also directed at Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom and currently teaches acting at Yuba College.

Auditions are open to both Yuba College students and members of the surrounding community, and actors do not need to currently be enrolled at the college to try out. The theatre is seeking performers with playing ages ranging from approximately 18 to 50 and older. Some roles have already been precast.

Roles currently being sought include Madame Pernelle, Orgon’s mother; Elmire, Orgon’s wife; Damis and Mariane, Orgon’s children; Cleante, Orgon’s brother-in-law; Dorine, Mariane’s outspoken maid; M. Loyal, a bailiff; a police officer; Flipotte, Madame Pernelle’s servant; and additional ensemble performers. The production is also looking for backstage participants, including a stage manager, assistant stage manager and stage crew. Those cast in the production will be required to enroll in the appropriate Yuba College theatre production course.

Auditions will take place in Building 400 at Yuba College Theatre, 2088 N. Beale Road in Marysville. For more information, contact Cecil at [email protected] or 530-713-0943, or visit http://YubaLive.com.