NEW YORK—The medical establishment gets a drubbing in Moliere’s withering 1673 comedy, “The Imaginary Invalid.” Red Bull Theater is presenting Jeffrey Hatcher’s new translation of the text, which infuses the story with modern sensibilities while keeping the original’s core elements.
A Man Obsessed
Prosperous Argan (Mark Linn-Baker) isn’t well. His body is wracked with numerous maladies that no doctor can seem to cure, despite multiple physicians’ efforts to do so.
Argan’s pain is exacerbated by the seemingly endless medical bills he receives in the wake of his treatments. This entire process is observed with extreme annoyance by his maid Toinette (Sarah Stiles). On the other hand, his daughter and only child, Angelique (Emilie Kouatchou), greets the situation with despair.
In truth, most of Argan’s issues medical issues spring from his own mind—he’s a raging hypochondriac—something almost everyone is aware of but him. His cries for a physician have drawn every doctor in the area to his side, all offering promises of a definitive cure, though they are more concerned with fattening their purses than relieving his misery.
Argan (Mark Linn-Baker) is a dramatic hypochondriac, in “The Imaginary Invalid.” (Carol Rosegg)Argan’s so-called ailments delight his new wife, Béline (Emily Swallow), who is far more concerned with her social position and the money that comes with it than her husband’s health. With the willing help of her lover, the lawyer De Bonnefoi (Manoel Felciano), Béline plans to take control of Argan’s vast fortune and deny Angelique what is rightfully hers.
Meanwhile, Argan sees a chance to receive free medical care for the rest of his life by pledging Angelique’s hand in marriage to Thomas Diafoirus (Russell Daniels), the son of one of his physicians (Arnie Burton). Thomas is about to become a doctor himself. Angelique, however, wants no part of this match as she is in love with the kind Clèante (John Yi), a gentleman she met six days prior.
Angelique (Emilie Kouatchou) is in love with the gentleman Cleante (John Yi), in “The Imaginary Invalid.” (Carol Rosegg)Combing elements of comedy and farce, mistaken identity, asides to the audience, an unexpected musical interlude, and numerous swipes at the medical profession (and a few more at the legal), “The Imaginary Invalid” explores what can happen when the need to find someone who will reenforce one’s beliefs becomes so all-consuming that nothing else matters.
The Production
Under the direction of Jesse Berge, the show moves quite briskly, though not without a few hiccups. There are perhaps too many ribald situations when dealing with Argan’s “conditions.” Also, sometimes the actors get so caught up in the story’s humor that they forget they’re the ones are telling it; when Angelique learns of a supposed tragedy concerning her father, the character clearly has a smile on her face while responding, as if she already knows the plot twist that is coming next.
Linn-Baker is excellent in the title role, a single-minded fellow who isn’t as mentally sharp as he could be and has to be spoon fed the truth before he can see it.
This slow-on-the-uptake trait is also shared by Clèante and, especially, by Thomas, whose initial entrance in what can best be described as a sailor suit made for a toddler brings the house down before he says a single word.
Dr. Fleurant (Arnie Burton, L) and the rather obtuse Thomas Diafoirus (Russell Daniels), in “The Imaginary Invalid.” (Carol Rosegg)Stiles is fun as the sarcastic Toinette, who matches Argan and Bèline’s verbal blows for blows in their conversations. Her defiant attitude has gotten her dismissed several times, but she simply refuses to leave. She wants to keep a watchful eye on Angelique, along with a chance for her own happiness—if things work out the way she hopes.
Swallow plays the role of the scheming Bèline to the hilt. Her initially glamorous appearance grows more ragged as the show progresses as she continually searches for the fortune Argan has hidden. (He can’t remember where he hid it). She eventually becomes covered in a layer of dust for her efforts, though her outward attitude never changes.
(L–R) Beline (Emily Swallow), Argan (Mark Linn-Baker), and De Bonnefoi (Manoel Felciano), in “The Imaginary Invalid.” (Carol Rosegg)Felciano is fine as the untrustworthy lawyer and makes a good foil for Bèline in their scenes together. He only needs a mustache to twirl to complete the effect.
Special mention must go to Burton who plays three of the doctors who attempt to treat Argan, occasionally all at the same time.
Costumes by Tilly Grimes are bright and colorful, though Beowulf Boritt’s set—pretty much a painted backdrop with a few props—seems rather tired and old.
An enjoyable diversion, “The Imaginary Invalid” shows what can happen when people allow others to exploit their fears and tell them only what they want to hear, and when they ignore those who genuinely care for them.
‘The Imaginary Invalid’
Presented by Red Bull Theater at New World Stages
340 W. 50th St., New York City
Tickets: 212-239-6200 or RedBullTheater.com
Running Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes (no intermission)
Closes: June 29, 2025
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