'Stoops' goes West in a fun reinvention
by Mary Houlihan, Staff Reporter
Chicago Sun-Times
April 2, 2007


Setting Irish playwright Oliver Goldsmith's 1773 comic masterpiece "She Stoops to Conquer" in the American West may seem like a loco idea. But adapter and director William Brown has such a sure hand with the material that the result is a miraculous -- and darn fun -- reinvention of an old standard. In fact, those familiar with the original will see the humor of the play is actually heightened by the transfer across the pond.

Brown first staged the show at Montana Shakespeare in 2003 and now brings it to Skokie's Northlight Theatre, where he has assembled a stellar cast that makes the story sparkle. Brown does little to change Goldsmith's language, which fits quite well with the new setting. But he does add a batch of clever Western folk songs (by Andrew Hansen, Doug Frew and Patti McKenny) that add a smart and witty narration to the story.

In Brown's version, the time is 1895 and the setting is Montana's "big sky country." Charles Marlowe and George Hastings, two eligible young Brits, have journeyed from London to the home of Mr. Hardcastle in romantic pursuit of two young ladies -- Kate Hardcastle and her cousin, Constance Neville.

George and Constance already are secretly betrothed, but Charles and Kate have yet to meet. And therein lies the problem -- Charles turns into a tongue-tied stiff around women of his own class, but barmaids are another thing altogether. So Kate transforms herself into a saucy servant as she "stoops to conquer" her man.

The comedy of errors is confused even more as the London gentlemen mistakenly think the house is an inn and their befuddled host the innkeeper. The house/inn joke is the brainstorm of Tony Lumpkin, Kate's comical half-brother, a lay-about at the local saloon who's in love with full-figured barmaid Bet Bouncer. He has no intention of satisfying his mother's demand that he marry Constance. For fun, he continually trips up the plans of others.

Goldsmith's play is full of delightful observations about class, the relationships of parents and children, and the always fascinating subject of sexual attraction. Brown transfers all this to the American West without losing the play's sharp, satirical edge and wicked perspective.

As he has done in past productions at both Northlight and Writers' Theatre, Brown once again proves he has a gift for casting a show to perfection. In "She Stoops to Conquer," each performance bristles with energy and a zany charm.

Kymberly Mellen is irresistible as Kate, a liberated spirit with grace and brains, who transforms from lady to wench with a sly smile. As Marlow, Timothy Edward Kane neatly flips between arrogance and fumbling shyness. Steve Haggard comically transforms Tony Lumpkin into a childlike mischief maker with a six-shooter.

John Lister perfectly outfits Mr. Hardcastle with a befuddled Scottish rage; Linda Kimbrough is perfection as the vain Mrs. Hardcastle. And Dennis Grimes (Hastings) and Abbey Siegworth (Constance) offer solid performances.

The songs are expertly performed and sung by Matthew Brumlow, Alex Goodrich and Susan Felder, who also transforms Bet Bouncer into a saucy Western saloon gal.

'SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER'
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
When: Through April 29
Where: Northlight Theatre, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
Tickets: $34-$54
Call: (847) 673-6300