By Elizabeth Rhoades / Staff Writer

Tonight (April 4) and tomorrow night, the Pit-Greensburg theater will be performing “The Miser,” a comedy of social class and scandal.

The play was written by a notable French play-write, Moliere who lived in the 1600s. It is a story of a man named Harpagon, who cares only for his wealth, and not much else. He has two children Elise and Cleante. He has arranged marriages for both his children, but when his son falls in love with Harpagon’s soon-to-be bride things turn comical.

“This twisted comedy will have the audience laughing till their sides hurt and wondering just what will happen to our young lovers,” stage manager Elaine Galinskie said.

Director Stephen Schrum has 30 years experience directed last semester’s “House of Blue Leaves.”

The story of Harpagon was picked by Schrum.

“I think it’s a fun and well-written play and it has long been on my list of plays I’d like to direct,” he said.

Galinskie, Schrum and the rest of the production staff have been planning this show since last semester, since the close of “House of Blue Leaves.” The auditions were in early January, and rehearsals began in February.

Roy Gloeckl plays the stingy Harpagon, while Ashley Peer plays Elise, and Joel Vodila plays Cleante.

Zach Kocian has the role of Valere, the man who is in love with Elise. As Katie Kider plays Marianne, the woman who is engaged to Harpagon, but Cleante falls in love with.

Rounding up the rest of the cast are key players Daniel Waajid (Master Simon), Brittany Stahl (Frosine), Lauren Fisher (La Fleche), Alison Thatcher (Brindavoine), Rick Manilla (La Merluche), Kevin Cline (Anselme), Leland Shaw (a Commissioner), and Sergey Blyakhor (Master Jacques),

Blyakhor described Master Jacques as “a devious character who is driven by his own motives, yet is mostly used for comic relief.”

The scandal in this case is the love affairs of Harpagon’s children.

The show will be playing tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. in the Ferguson Theater.