West Marin thespians are thrilled to be producing their first play at the St. Columba’s amphitheater since 2019: “The Miser” by French playwright Molière. Inverness Park actor Geoff Hoyle translated the dramatic-comedy, written 350 years ago, from its original language in hopes of keeping the sincerity alongside the humor—something many translations have failed to do, he said. Mr. Hoyle lived in Paris for two years to do post-graduate work at Ecole Internationale Corporel Dramatique. “A lot of the translations are too comedic and loose,” said Mr. Hoyle, who will star as the lead for the production, put on by the Inverness Theatre Project. “The Miser” is a classic story of love and greed. Harpagon (the miser) wants his daughter to marry an affluent old man who does not want her dowry, yet she loves a poorer man instead. Sharron Drake, the production manager and an Inverness Park actress, said the idea of having Mr. Hoyle in the lead role was a catalyst for the show. “Geoff mentioned he’d like to do [the role], and I took to it,” she said. “The Miser” will be the sixth production for the project and the first that is not a Shakespeare. Nearly all the cast and production staff are from West Marin, and some have worked with the project before. David Abrams, from San Rafael, is returning as director; he last collaborated with the project on “As You Like It” in 2019. “[Mr. Abrams] is really smart with the text and understands how to talk with the actors,” Ms. Drake said. The cast and production staff recently did a table read and are now exploring how to transform the set from the duchy in “As You Like It” into a French lord’s manor. According to Ms. Drake, the project’s members are working at breakneck speed to learn their parts and tackle technical challenges, and she is looking for volunteers to help with cutting, pasting, gluing, painting and even weeding. The outdoor stage has not seen a performance for three years. “I’ve done a lot of outdoor theater,” Mr. Hoyle said, “but St. Columba’s theater is very sweet.” A Kickstarter campaign for the production has surpassed the halfway mark to its goal of $3,000; pledges, which start at $20, are rewarded with tickets (dates need not be decided). The show will start at 4 p.m. on Aug. 27 and 28 and Sept. 3, 4 and 5. To donate, visit www.kickstarter.com and search for “The Miser” (the page includes a short teaser). To volunteer, email Ms. Drake at [email protected].