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Farcical fun finds fans at the farm
MAY 22, 2025
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Vermont Rep brings Moliere to Williston’s cultural calendar BY SUSAN COTE Observer staff
Costumes and wigs and laughs. Along with a bit of singing and dancing, that’s what Vermont Repertory Theatre’s upcoming production of Moliere’s “The Miser” promises to deliver to audiences during the show’s June run at the Isham Farm Barn in Williston. “‘Bridgerton’ meets ‘Schitt’s Creek’ in 17th century Paris,” is how director and Williston resident Mike Fidler likes to describe the play. His wife, Chloë Fidler, is the play’s producer. “Moliere is called the father of farce. You get all the misunderstandings and mistaken identities,” said Mike. “It’s kind of the best of a Shakespearean comedy, but without having to mentally translate from the Elizabethan English. Because the ‘The Miser’ was originally in French, the translations are in clean English, not Elizabethan English,” said Mike. “So even though it’s a period play, the language we’re dealing with is pretty modern. It’s very, very entertaining.” Chloë Fidler says the story, which centers around the title character who cares more about his money than the desires of his children, proves that “nothing’s changed in 400 years. If you like ‘Modern Family,’ you’ll like this.”
Connor Kendall as Cleante; Christopher Ziter as Harpagon; and Hannah Normadeau as Elise in the upcoming production of Molier’s “The Miser,” being performed by the Vermont Repertory Theatre at the Isham Farm Barn in Williston on June 11-14. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY OWEN LEAVEY
She thinks the farce is a good fit for the rustic barn venue and that the front-of-house experience is part of what’s important for them to deliver. “The [Isham] barn is such an amazing space, an exciting space that can be transformed into anything. “We hope people will come and have a picnic, get their picture taken with the wigs,” said Chloë. Vermont Repertory Theatre was founded in 2023, and the nonprofit is formally based in Williston. Of nine board members, five are Williston residents. Besides the Fidlers, that includes Helen Weston, who
developed the Isham Farm Barn into a performance venue. “What Helen’s been trying to do at the barn I found very inspiring from the start. That was very much hand in hand with beginning this whole enterprise,” said Mike. Chris Ziter, who plays the lead role of Harpagon in “The Miser,” is also a Williston resident. A native Vermonter, Ziter spent part of his childhood in Williston, then returned with his family in 2010. Ziter describes his character as a “cranky old, miserly fellow who’s just hyper-focused on his money.” “A lot of the action and
situational comedy happens around his decisions and his antics,” said Ziter. In addition to acting a role, Ziter composed music for three numbers that are part of Vermont Rep’s version of the play. Ziter was involved in theater throughout his high school and college years, but after college focused on his music. After graduating from UVM, he and some friends formed a band that toured for several years. Now with a day job in digital marketing, Ziter is more interested in writing music for musicals or plays that need music than in writing for a band
anymore. “As you get older touring isn’t as easy it was,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed in this post-COVID era getting back into theater. It has an incredibly social aspect. I do digital marketing as my day job, but it’s all done at home. So getting out in the evenings for rehearsals and ultimately shows, it’s been a great re-emergence from the COVID period,” said Ziter. An impetus for the formation of Vermont Repertory was Mike Fidler’s belief that there was space for a new organization that focused on slightly different things than other local theater companies. Given a background in highend theater and event productions in the UK, Mike envisioned a company with a focus on production values, on creating the opportunity to bring out the talents of those who are behind the scenes, to optimize design, lighting, costumes and stage sets. With their passion for visual see FARCE page 8
On stage in June What: Vermont Repertory Theatre’s “The Miser” by Moliere Where: Isham Barn Theatre, Williston When: June 11-14, 2025 Tickets online at: theaterengine.com/ productions/2825
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