Power struggles, lies, mistaken identities and topsy-turvy relationships add up to silly fun in She Stoops to Conquer, presented by the City College of New York Department of Theatre & Speech. Director Chan Harris gives his all-student cast fresh sass and rap music to update this 1773 classic by Oliver Goldsmith.
The story follows two young Londoners, Marlow and Hastings, who arrive at the country manor of an old family friend, having been tricked into believing they’re at an inn. Marlow’s father believes his dear friend’s daughter will make a good match for his son.
Richard Harrison’s set design transformed the Aaron Davis Hall thrust stage into a warm sitting room, replete with comfy armchairs, Victorian ottomans, hunting pictures, as well as a hearth and bellows — everything but the roaring fire. A few simple scene changes — accompanied by the chorus’ percussion, song, and dance — transforms the stage into a setting for an outdoor nighttime romp, reminiscent of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The cast sometimes sits with the audience, asks for help and even draws audience members on stage to become part of the cast.
Pierce Bunch, as Marlow, and Megan Lundquist, taking the part of Hastings, play the two young gallants with upper-class snobbery that equals some of Hugh Grant’s most foppish roles. Keenan N. Charles is a believable and delightful Mr. Hardcastle, the family friend who owns the country manor. Wendy Ann Powell plays the most over-the-top character. Her depiction of the overwrought Mrs. Hardcastle almost works but by the end, it’s a bit too much as she cries in fake distress and lays on the floor with feet in the air. The accent she affects slips at times to reveal her New York accent and makes her difficult to understand.
Emily Kuper stars as Kate, Mr. Hardcastle’s daughter and the woman Marlow has come to meet. After experiencing Marlow’s extreme inability, and perhaps unwillingness, to speak to women of his own class Kate transforms herself into a barmaid. She changes her dress and voice, accentuates her cleavage, and sits with legs spread to receive Marlow’s unabashed and forward attention that he reserves for the lower-class women in his life. The two sides of Marlow are completely opposite from each other, and Bunch is hilarious as both. Kate’s barmaid act conquers Marlow, just as she expected.
She Stoops to Conquer delivers two-and-a-half hours of fun while it probes the issues of class distinction and power. While Goldsmith’s original script places the final power in male hands, Director Harris creatively assures the audience that Kate has everything under control.
She Stoops to Conquer played only five shows, but this troop is fun and worth seeing. You can catch them at one of their upcoming productions at the Aaron Davis Hall.
