Mayhem, merriment ... and maybe a message with NU’s ‘She Stoops to Conquer’

Review by Joshua Maloni
Niagara Frontier Publications, December 5, 2009

Finally.

After years, nay millennia, of trying to explain to women that we, as men, are dumb, we now have moving pictures to do the job for us.

Thank you, “She Stoops to Conquer.”

Niagara University’s latest, perhaps funniest, theatrical presentation revolves around Young Marlow, a man who very much resembles the modern man (or at least this modern man). With his friends, he is self-assured. Some would even say he’s cool. And, it follows, that he’s every bit the ladies man.

That is until he meets someone he fancies.

Then it’s all sweating, rambling and praying for a re-do.

Sound familiar, guys?

Eighteenth century Anglo-Irish playwright Oliver Goldsmith’s “She Stoops to Conquer,” as directed by 21st century NU director Doug Zschiegner, would be a painstaking look into the male psyche were it not so darn funny.

If laughter is the best medicine or a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down (pick your cliché), then, likewise, the hilarious interaction between Marlow (Eric M. Walsh) and his could-be love, Kate (Jessica Bill), and her father, Mr. Hardcastle (Will Hicks), makes our two-hour journey of self-discovery much more palatable.

Set in Goldsmith’s time, “She Stoops to Conquer” begins, albeit abruptly, with the introduction of Hardcastle and his wife, Mrs. Hardcastle (Meagan Kurilovitch). The first few minutes of the show are somewhat murky, or at least they were on opening night, as the actors warmed into their fake dialects.

Mom and dad are awaiting a visit by Marlow, a potential suitor for Kate. They’re also trying to decide what to do with living quarters that very much resemble an inn.

Marlow, embarking upon his trip to see the Hardcastle family with dear friend Hastings (Joe Liolos), soon finds he’s lost. The two chums enter a bar, where their arrival is announced to Tony Lumpkin (Matt Kindley), Mrs. Hardcastle’s cad of a son.

As an aside, Hastings has secretly romanced Constance Neville (Sara Ball), who is Mrs. Hardcastle’s niece. Wishing to play a joke on his cousin, whom he’s been forced to court, as well as his step-sister, Kate, and the two out-of-town travelers, Tony sets a grand plan in motion. He directs Marlow and Hastings to the Hardcastle home, but under the guise that it’s an inn.

Upon their arrival at “the inn,” Marlow and Hastings make themselves at home. I mean, really, really, kick-off-your-boots and ask for dinner at home. Mr. Hastings obliges at first, though he admits, “Their impudence confounds me.”

As Marlow and Hastings settle in, Kate and Constance arrive. This sends Marlow into a nervous tizzy, and he does his best to avoid eye contact. In fact, when hard-pressed by Kate for some conversation, Marlow slinks away from her as if the two were involved in a game of tag.

Undeterred, and set on making Marlow her man, Kate decides to play a game of her own. She dresses as a barmaid, hoping her fella will warm up to a lower-class woman.

The plan works, and Marlow quickly turns into a man about town with this mysterious waitstaffer.

As Marlow’s brashness is becoming to Kate, it’s quickly growing old with Mr. Hardcastle, who still can’t understand how the gentleman caller – the son of Sir Charles Marlow (Michael Wachowiak), no less – could be so uncouth.

As father and daughter discuss the oddly shy/oddly aggressive Young Marlow, they decide to make a wager on who or what will draw out his real self.

The second half of “She Stoops to Conquer” provides resolution to Marlow’s true identity, as well as closure for the Hastings/Constance/Tony Lumpkin storylines. There’s also a jewel heist thrown in for good measure.

There is a lesson to be learned in “She Stoops to Conquer.” I’m sure of it. I suppose it’s that we, as men, should just be ourselves around women we fancy.

Zschiegner, in the program bio book, suggests the show is also a lesson in celebrating (or at least embracing) family eccentricities. I wouldn’t disagree with that point.

However, the play’s sheer level of humor – thanks also to a riotous, somewhat “off” quartet of kitchen staff – outweighs the deeper, more useful messages.

That’s fine with me – and it was more than OK with the crowd on opening night. We’ll all agreed to think some deep thoughts later.

After all, if there’s one thing we men do better than shrinking away from women, it’s putting things off.

“She Stoops to Conquer” is on stage at the marvelously decorated Church in Lewiston, 415 Plain St. Shows continue through Dec. 13. For more information, for times or tickets, call 286-8685 or visit www.niagara.edu/theatre.