Interviews with Misanthrope Actors

Director Dan Smith asked some questions to Janette Angelini (Célimène) and Evan Phillips (Clitandre). These interviews will give you some insight into how an actor thinks about a role.

Interview with Janette Angelini

Dan Smith: Who is Célimène?

Janette Angelini: Celimene is an energetic, confident flirt and recent widow who has a deep struggle with commitment. Although she has openly admitted her love for Alceste, she acknowledges her other suitors and entertains them with both seduction and her knack and talent for gossip. Her life is centered around the balancing act she performs to keep them all in her back pocket. But how long can this act last you might ask!? You'll have to see the show!

DS: What is the biggest challenge or most fun part of playing this role?

JA: The biggest challenge for me in this role is just to keep her unapologetically candid. Most people have the tendency to hold back or filter themselves but Celimene is almost the epitome of no filter (not to say this has no consequence). Although that is a challenge it is also one of the most fun parts of performing this character. She also really knows herself and knows how to play others so finding those nuances within her relationships with other characters has been extremely enjoyable.

DS: How does this role compare to other roles you have played?

JA: This is such an exciting opportunity for me because this is my first classical show! I am constantly surprising myself with how much I have enjoyed this new style and process.

Interview with Evan Phillips

DS: Who is Clitandre?

EP: Clitandre is a Marquess, gossip enthusiast and potential suitor of Célimène, a woman who is desired by the majority of the men in the play.

DS: What is the biggest challenge of playing this role?

EP: Playing a Fop in the highly sophisticated Seventeenth Century is really challenging. Staying true and accurate to the time period while also embracing the possibilities of making ridiculous and foolish choices is definitely a balance that can be hard to juggle with.

DS: What is the most fun part of playing this role?

EP: In this show, Clitandre reveals very little about himself personally. So as an actor, I feel like I have a lot more freedom to construct all of the ridiculous thoughts & mannerisms of this character. It's a lot of fun to essentially have permission to look as ludicrous and absurd as I can, which makes Clitandre a rather enjoyable character to portray.

DS: How does this role compare to other parts you have played at MSU?

EP: I've played a lot of comedic characters during my time at MSU, so the role of Clitandre is a familiar one for me. Compared to my past roles, however, Clitandre is definitely the most flamboyant of them all and I've had a lot of fun playing a character who radiates such a high level of confidence and vibrancy whenever he happens to be present on the stage.