Romantic comedy, 'The Liar,' adapted for modern audiences

HACKETTSTOWN — The laugh-out-loud comedy The Liar by Pierre Corneille, adapted for modern audiences by David Ives is running Feb. 21 through March 9 at The Lackland Center.

The Liar
Dorante is a charming 17th century young man newly arrived in Paris, and he has but a single flaw: He cannot tell the truth. In quick succession he meets Cliton, a manservant who cannot tell a lie, and falls in love with Clarice, a charming young woman whom he unfortunately mistakes for her friend Lucrece. What the hero regrettably does not know is that Clarice is secretly engaged to his best friend Alcippe. Nor is he aware that his father is trying to get him married to Clarice, whom he thinks is Lucrece, who actually is in love with him. From all these misunderstandings and a series of breathtakingly intricate lies springs a comedy, an urban romance adapted for today.

Directing this production is Centenary’s own Carl Wallnau and Emmy Award-winning designer Bob Phillips to decorate the stage of the Sitnik Theatre with life-like set designs.

Tickets
Tickets for The Liar range from $25 to $27.50 with discounts for students and seniors. Every Thursday night is “Family Night,” which offers a 2-for-1 rush ticket price when purchased at the door. Performance times are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There are 2 p.m. matinées on Wednesdays Feb. 26 and March 5 and for the Preview Performance on Friday, February 21. The Liar is sponsored by Bea McNally’s Irish Pub and Heath Village Retirement Community.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.centenarystageco.org, at the CSC Box Office located in the David and Carol Lackland Center at 715 Grand Ave in Hackettstown, or by calling 908-979-0900. The Box Office is open 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and two hours prior to performance times. CSC also operates a second Box Office during the season at 217 Main Street in Hackettstown open Monday through Friday 3 to 6 p.m.