The NIU School of Theatre and Dance introduces two Molière plays to be performed over the next two weeks.

“Tartuffe” is about a 17th-century con man who poses in clerical garb to mask his less-than-virtuous intentions regarding a wealthy aristocrat’s wife, daughter and money. The play will open at 7:30 p.m. today at the Stevens Building’s O’Connell Theatre.

The second production, “The Misanthrope,” begins tomorrow and follows the story of a man tired of the superficial aristocracy of 17th-century France. He falls in love, however, with a woman who personifies the society.

Tickets for both performances are $14 for the general public, $8 for seniors and $7 for students. The productions will be performed in traditional repertory, meaning the shows will alternate night by night.

“It’s been more than 25 years since either of Molière’s plays have been performed at NIU,” theater professor Kent Gallagher said.

Accessible department records do not date back to when the plays were last performed.

“In this way, we’re preserving Molière’s plays,” said Alex Gelman, director of the School of Theatre and Dance.

This production will serve as Gelman’s sixth in the NIU theater department and is not his first experience with Molière. He previously has directed the playwright’s work at both Boston University and the University of Nebraska.

Chris Markle, assistant professor for NIU’s School of Theatre and Dance, will direct “Tartuffe.” Markle is juggling two substantial NIU productions, also directing “The Grapes of Wrath,”which will be the focus of a semester-long documentary.

Both “The Misanthrope” and “Tartuffe” have almost an identical set and seniors-only cast. Most of the members have performed together for more than three years.

“There’s no substituting for actors knowing each other,” Gelman said.