ESU presents British comedy
Emporia State University
Friday, April 24, 2009
The award-winning Emporia State University Theatre closes its academic season with the classic British comedy, “She Stoops to Conquer or The Mistakes of a Night,” by Oliver Goldsmith. Written and first performed at London’s Covent Garden Theatre in 1773, the play is one of the most popular comedies of the English-speaking stage.
The prototype for the modern situation comedy, “She Stoops to Conquer” tells the story of the courtship of lovely Kate Hardcastle (Kelsey Fredricks, junior, Mandan, N.D.) and her intended young Marlow (Ben Fleer, senior, Overland Park). Kate’s father, Squire Hardcastle (Bob Hart, junior, Overland Park) wishes that Kate would marry the son of his old friend, Sir Charles Marlow (Scott Swezey, senior, Overland Park). It is young Marlow’s (Ben Fleer, senior, Olathe) misfortune to be dumb in the presence of ladies of his own social status. He is, however, perfectly at ease when talking to barmaids and girls of like station. In order to woo her intended, Kate realizes she must “stoop to conquer” and assumes the guise and demeanor of a simple barmaid.
Meanwhile, Squire Hardcastle’s second wife (Lindsay Roland, junior, Grand Island, Neb.) is quite determined that her spoiled and not-too-brilliant son, Tony Lumpkin (Ryan Scully, sophomore, Winchester) should marry her niece Constance Neville (Emily Warren, sophomore, Wichita). In this way she will be able to keep Miss Neville’s fortune in the family. The young people, however, have other plans, especially Miss Neville who is secretly pledged to young Marlow’s best friend, the rakish Hastings (Dylan Lewis, sophomore, Wichita.)
A classic comedy of manners as well as a satire of upper class pretensions, “She Stoops to Conquer” offers a brilliant evening of mistaken identities, practical jokes, and—ultimately—happy endings.
ESU Theatre’s production also features the talents of Casey McCabe (freshman, Gardner) as Roger and Aubrey Rice (sophomore, Ellsworth) as Brigitte. Herb Wyrick, a retired Emporia educator and adjunct professor of communication will play the role of Diggory.
“She Stoops to Conquer” is directed by Jim Ryan. The production features the designs of theatre faculty: Nancy Pontius (scenery), Susan J Mai (costumes) and Ron Fowlkes (lighting). Hair and makeup is designed by senior Tricia Stogsdill (Pleasanton). Ben Williams (junior, Elbing) is the production stage manager. Sophomore Al Daugherty (Leavenworth) is the assistant stage manager.
Performances will be held the evenings of Wednesday April 29 through Saturday May 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre in King Hall. Tickets are available from the ESU box office at 620-341-6378 or toll-free at 877-341-6378.