La Bête

Scott Greer and Ian Merrill Peakes

The Arden Theater Company, located at 40 N. 2^nd Street, is beginning its 2014-2015 Season with La Bête, (The Beast). It will run on the Arden's F. Otto Haas stage through October 12. Ian Merill Peakes portrays Elomire, leader of an acting troupe in Prince Conti’s court.  Scott Greer is Valere, a troubadour that the Prince (Dito van Reigersberg) wants to bring to court to join the troupe. Elomire finds Valere bombastic beyond belief and wants no part of him. In French, bête not only means “beast,” but also, “stupid or idiot”.  “Etre bête" (to be stupid) is to believe in something so much that you cannot see anything else and therefore miss the point. Thus the foundation is set for this ludicrous farce.  Scott Greer is a comic genius. He is outrageously funny. Never before have so many words conveying so little meaning been uttered so exquisitely. Non-stop laughter fills the theatre while at the same time audience members are shaking their heads in disbelief at the utter nonsense of it all. Ian Merrill Peakes gives an outstanding performance as a principled troupe leader who takes a firm stand for the integrity of his craft. Despite the Prince’s wishes, such opposing views cannot peacefully co-exist. Someone’s, perhaps everyone’s, world must collapse in the aftermath. For more information or tickets to this intriguing show which is done completely in verse, call 215-922-1122 or visit online at ardentheatre.org.