Tartuffe

 Mercer Theatre begins its 2013-2014 season of plays with “Tartuffe” by Molière from Sept. 19-29, at the Back Door Theatre, located in Willingham Hall on Mercer University’s Macon campus. “This play was so powerful when it was first produced that it was banned,” said Scot Mann, director of Mercer Theatre and this production. “Tartuffe” is a hilarious comedy about religious hypocrisy, seduction, and greed and one of the most famous and enduring works of theatre. Molière is the pen name of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, a prolific 17th century French playwright. Mercer Theatre will perform a version of the original that was translated into English verse by Richard Wilbur. Mercer Theatre’s season continues with Vladimir Volkoff’s “Love Kills,” Nov. 14-24, 2013; followed by “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,” Feb. 13-23, 2014; and comedian Steve Martin’s play “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” April 3-13, 2014. “I think every show this season reflects the magic of theatre, and its ability to reach our imaginations on an immediate level that a green-screen movie can’t compete with,” said Mann.