Players of the Stage thespians will perform Molière’s “The Miser” onstage April 29 and 30 at Living Hope Presbyterian church, 330 Schantz Road, Lower Macungie.

This 17th-century play was written by Molière as a comedy and includes five acts.

It revolves around Harpagon’s (the “Miser”) greed as well as his desire to marry a much younger woman, whom by chance is committed to Harpagon’s son Cléante.

Harpagon has committed Elise, Cléante’s sister, to marry a wealthy landowner to grow his own wealth but not lose or share any of his.

Much posturing and miscommunication follows, but in the end, everyone involved finds true love.

John Buonanno, of Lower Macungie, who plays Cléante, comments on his role.

“Cléante is head over heels in love with Marianne, a girl who his father has also come to love, which creates an … ahh … complex tension within the family,” Buonanno said. “Not only is he madly in love, but he is also terribly broke and has to determine how to provide for Marianne and her mother in order to clinch the relationship with Marianne.”

He said he really likes being dramatic, so this is a great part for him.

“I also get to be in the center of all of the family drama. What is not to love?” Buonanno said.

“I would just like to thank the entire staff at POTS for working so hard to make this show a success. It really would not be possible without all of their commitment and dedication,” he added.

Grace Buddenhagen, of Upper Macungie, who portrays Harpagon, comments on her role in the play.

“Harpagon is a mean old man, a miser, you might say,” Buddenhagen said. “Money is his prized possession, leaving little room for anything else to be important in his life.

“He craves the security and power that comes with having his money and trying, kind of badly, to keep it a secret from everyone else. He is very dramatic, not very rational and thinks he is always right and the greatest person ever.”

Buddenhagen said she loves playing Harpagon because it is so different from any other character she has ever played.

“First, he is a man. Second, he is old. Third, he has a deeper voice and different ways of moving around than characters I have played before,” Buddenhagen added. “I love exploring all those different things, even if it feels very weird. It is fun to be able to be a different type of person than I am used to, especially because this is a person I would despise in real life.”

She said she loves being in “The Miser” because it is so fun.

“It is a very interesting play, and the majority of the characters are very over the top, silly and not very rational. It is very fun to see and act in,” Buddenhagen said. “I also enjoy working with everyone in the cast. They are all very talented actors, and Mrs. Noel is an amazing director. Everybody is so nice and super fun to be with.”

She said she loves acting on a thrust stage, which extends into the auditorium.

“It is very cool and different than the stage I am used to. And I can break some theater rules,” Buddenhagen added. “The set is also very cool, just like everything else about ‘The Miser.’ I am just very excited to be acting in ‘The Miser’ and cannot wait for everybody to see what a crazy show this is.”

Evan Diem, of North Whitehall, who plays Valere, also commented on his role.

“Valere is a passionate but levelheaded character,” Diem said. “He would do anything to keep the people he cares about happy, even if that means ruining others’ plans.”

He said he enjoys playing Valere because he is quite different from him, and it is fun to challenge oneself.

“The best part of the show, for me, is the connection I have with many of my castmates. Nothing is better than the relationships I have with them,” Diem said.

This play is being directed by Players of the Stage artistic director Sharon Noel.

She said she chose this play because they (POTS) have not done a show from this period of theater.

“It’s a very different style than we have done, and we wanted to give our actors an opportunity to stretch themselves by applying different acting techniques,” Noel stated.

She said “The Miser” follows the misfortunes that happen to a man who is too obsessed with his fortune.

“It is a farce, tongue in cheek, moral tale highlighting the dangers of greed, particularly among the wealthy,” Noel added.

This play is adapted from Moliere’s script from the 1660s.

“The Miser” will be performed 7 p.m. April 29 and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 30 at Living Hope Presbyterian Church, 330 Schantz Road, Lower Macungie Township.

Tickets for all performances are free, but reservations are required.

In lieu of a ticket price, a freewill offering will be taken to benefit Bright House Pregnancy Center, which provides emotional, spiritual and practical support for women who are pregnant, want to keep their baby and have little access to resources.

“They have a maternity home that the women and their babies can stay at and provide training in life skills so that the moms will be able to support and sustain themselves. They also provide sexual health screenings,” Noel added.

To reserve tickets, go to playersofthestage.org or email potstickets@gmail.com.

For more information about Players of the Stage, visit playersofthestage.com.