The Miser

Play

Writers: Moliere

Overview

Show Information

Book
Category
Play
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1668
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Period, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
Harpagon's House, Paris, Seventeenth Century
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal for
College/University, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male
Casting Notes
Mostly male cast
Includes mature adult, young adult, adult characters

Synopsis

The Miser centers around the age-old conflict of love and money. The miser of the title is the elderly Harpagon, who is a wealthy man but worries that he never has enough money. His obsession with money spells disaster for all those around him, including his two children, Elise and Cléante. Elise is passionately in love with the penniless Valère, but her father has arranged for her to marry a wealthy old man, Anselme. Meanwhile Cléante loves the girl next door, the young, impoverished Marianne. In a further twist, Harpagon has set his sights on marrying Marianne himself! With the help of some wily servants, Elise and Cléante plot against their frugal father. Thankfully, Valère and Marianne are revealed to be Anselme’s long-lost children, and they go on to marry their true loves…but only after the miserly Harpagon makes Anselme pay for the weddings!

Lead Characters


The Miser guide sections