Irwin is one of the great American clowns, and Molière wrote Argan as a part for a physical comedian who happens to be terrified of dying. Having Irwin both adapt and play him means the jokes are engineered for his own body. This is the only pick on the list that actually disappears during the month, so if a 350-year-old comedy about health anxiety sounds like your evening, do not leave it until December.
What to expect
The Todd Haimes is a mid-sized house on 42nd Street with a steep balcony that keeps the whole room close to the stage. No running time has been posted; Moliere adaptations of this kind generally run around two hours with an intermission. Expect broad physical comedy rather than a reverent classical staging.
Good to know
- The theatre is at 227 West 42nd Street, directly above the Times Sq-42 St subway complex
- This is the shortest-lived pick on the list, so it is the one to book first
- Roundabout is dark Mondays and plays matinees midweek and at weekends
- Broad physical comedy that plays well for older children and up
- Roundabout runs discounted programmes for students and under-35s through its box office
- Subscriber demand makes single seats scarce in the final weeks of a Roundabout run
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Common questions
Do I need to know Molière?
No. Bill Irwin's adaptation is written in contemporary English and plays as a broad comedy about a man who loves being ill.
When does it close?
The engagement is scheduled to end November 22, 2026, making it the one show here that leaves during the month.

