Andrew Reaves, a senior theater arts major, is a hypochondriac looking for a doctor for his daughter to fall in love with and marry.

Reaves doesn’t really have a daughter, and he’s not a hypochondriac, but in the Village Theater’s production later this week of “The Imaginary Invalid,” he plays one. His character, Argan, is a hypochondriac old man looking for a way to save money on medical bills.

“It was a lot of fun playing this character,” Reaves said. “It was hard to learn to react to the other characters like I actually had bad hearing and poor vision.”

As Argan’s medical bills pile up, he comes up with the idea of marrying his daughter off to one of his doctors in return for a lifetime of free medical treatments. The idea meets opposition, though, when it becomes clear the young lady’s affections lie elsewhere. Soon the entire household is involved in an elaborate plot to save true love.

“The Imaginary Invalid” was written in the 16th century by Molier, a French comic playwright.

Jerry Eisenhour, professor in the theater arts department and director of the show, explained the writer’s personality.

“Molier had poor faith in doctors,” Eisenhour said. “He made fun of doctors, lawyers and other authority figures.”

“Even though it was written in the 1600s, the story can still transfer over to modern times,” Reaves said.

Tickets are on sale through the Village Theater box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 2-6 p.m., and one hour before performances on the weekends.

Showings are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Village Theater, 960 18th St.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, faculty and staff, and $3.50 for students. Call the box office at 581-3110 to reserve tickets in advance.