The Calvin Theatre Company will be presenting their production of Moliere's play, ``The Bourgeois Gentleman'' in the Gezon auditorium this weekend and next.

A playwrite specializing in comedy, Moliere is known as a satirist whose work comments on the social and political situations of his time through farce. His plays commonly drew on stock characters from improvisational-style road theater and Moliere's own education, which included the study of such early Roman writers as Terence and Plautus.

Comissioned by Louis XIV, the Sun King himself, ``The Bourgeois Gentleman'' is a light-hearted comedy which is nonetheless also a social commentary of sorts. It pokes fun at the Parisian high life and the values of the French bourgeoisie of the late seventeenth century by telling the story of a man who finds himself suddenly rich and decides to take steps to make himself fit for the high-class life, with some pretty hillarious results. It is not really a deep play, but it is certainly an entertaining one.

According to Calvin professor and director James Korf, ``a play is not a good play unless it asks at least one good question. In this case, the question is, `What is valuable?' ... We ask the same question.''

Traditionally, the CTC has performed the plays of several key writers in a sort of cyclical rotation. These writers include traditional authors such as Shakespeare and Chekov, as well as more contemporary authors such as Williams. The last time they performed a play by Moliere was in 1984, so it seems high time for a performance of one of his works. It is, however, strange and ironic timing for this particular play.

When Louis comissioned the play, his one stipulation was that it make fun of Turks, since he had recently been insulted, or so he felt, at a meeting where no one managed to comment on a diamond-encrusted garment that Louis had had specially made for the occasion.

Given the recent national events, it may seem that a play which contains jokes at the expense of Turks/Islaam would be in poor taste. This part of the play, therefore, has been given special consideration and treatment by the CTC, but they are nevertheless eager to perform the play this fall.

Korf stated the situation well in his comments on Moliere, on a poster hanging just outside the Gezon. ``Our production is a commentary on our age, and we have worked to maintain the integrity of the play while handling carefully elements of the play that could in today's context give unecessary offense.''

While he recognizes the delicacy of such material in these times, Korf thinks the play is appropriate because of the levity it provides.

``This is a good way to open this particular year,'' he said. ``I think it's time to laugh.''

And laugh you will. With a beautiful set, delightful costumes, spectacular lighting, and a terrific cast, this show is sure to be an entertaining one. The CTC will be performing Nov. 1-3 and 8-10. Tickets are on sale at Calvin's box office, $6 for Thursdays and $7 for Fridays/Saturdays.