Anything goes" in a new, physical, farcical adaptation of Moliere's The Miser, beginning Jan. 21 at the Village Theatre in Issaquah, WA. Adapted and directed by Jeff Steitzer, this Miser is staged in "park style," inspired by 1970s summer productions by Seattle's Empty Space Theatre in the park.

In modern language, this Miser keeps to the classic plot: penny pinching Harpagon and the matchmaker who helps his romantically entangled children.

"It's a very, very free adaptation," says Steitzer, "to get plenty of laughs but take no ideological prisoners. Anything goes."

Designing the show are Craig Wollam (set), Carolyn Keim (costumes), Jay Strevey (lighting) and Donald Littrell (sound). Keim hopes to maintain the "thrift shop mentality" of park shows, "using the shapes of the 17th Century [but] making some off-beat choices in the details. A dress may be made of curtains, or you may see a wig of a color not normally found in hair."

Starring in The Miser, which runs Jan. 22-March 1, are John X. Deveney, Keith Dahlgren, Pat Sibley, George Mount and John Kaufmann. For tickets ($18-$28) and information on The Miser at the Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N., call (425) 392-2202.

-- By David Lefkowitz