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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: John Edward Kinzer, Director of Audience Development,
812-855-0514, jkinzer@indiana.edu
IU DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DRAMA PRESENTS COMEDY SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER
BLOOMINGTON, IN —Oliver Goldsmith's classic comedy of disguise has been entrancing audiences since its first performance over two centuries ago. First performed in 1773, She Stoops to Conquer stands as one of the most frequently-performed and well-received plays of the 18th Century. The Indiana University Department of Theatre and Drama happily presents this beloved play on the stage of the Ruth N. Halls theatre. The play opens Friday, February 24, with additional performances on February 25, 27, 28, and March 1-4. All performances are at 7:30 PM.
 The young Kate Hardcastle (Reneé Racan Rodriguez, Arcadia, The Scarlet Letter) has been promised to Sir Charles Marlow (Eric VanTielen, Arcadia, The Scarlet Letter). Knowing that gentlemen rarely reveal their true selves to women of quality, she masquerades as a barmaid, intending to learn the real character of her betrothed. When deceived by the mischievous Tony Lumpkin (Tom Conner, Macbeth, “MASTER HAROLD”…and the boys) into believing the house of Kate's father Mr. Hardcastle (Brendan Pentzell, The Scarlet Letter, The Cherry Orchard) to be an inn, complications accrue and misconceptions increase exponentially. The resulting mess combines slapstick visual humor with perfectly-phrased wit to create a uniquely comedic brew.
 She Stoops to Conquer marks the Bloomington directorial debut of new acting/directing faculty member Fontaine Syer. Syer, the former Artistic Director of Delaware Theatre Company and Associate Artistic Director of the prestigious Oregon Shakespeare Festival, joined the IU faculty this past fall after a very successful career as a freelance director. Rodriguez, in her final semester at IU, could not be more excited about her final Indiana director. The actress says, “It's really fantastic, and the thing about Fontaine is she doesn't mince her words. If something's not working, she'll tell you right away and not be one of those people who is protecting the actor's fragile ego. That way you know specifically what to work on. She doesn't keep you guessing, and she doesn't waste time flattering you.”
 She Stoops to Conquer was selected for this season before Syer was hired to join the faculty, but she quickly connected with the material. She points out the varied nature of the humor in Goldsmith's text, saying “This play encompasses everything from real wit to broad pratfalls in terms of comedy. It's fun to be working on something with that breadth. Basically everything from falling down on the floor from the top of a bench to expertly speaking this language.” Beyond that, she emphasizes the universality of the play. Syer notes, “Sex and falling in love are pretty much the same since people were created. It doesn't ever go smoothly.” Surely student audiences in the 21st century will appreciate that.
Joining Rodriguez, VanTielen, Pentzell, and Conner in the cast is a talented collection of graduate and undergraduate students. M.F.A. directing student John Maness (previously seen in Macbeth), Ph.D. student Chris Hatch (Macbeth), and Ph.D. student Holly Holbrook (The Importance of Being Earnest) comprise the graduate core. Undergraduates include Michael Aguirre, Emily Chovanec, Jeff Craft, Jacob Dahm (Macbeth), Tara Goldsbrough, Tyler Hill, Justine Salata (Arcadia, Wit), Zachary Spicer (Arcadia, Happy Birthday, Wanda June), and Ryan Wells.
Scenic design is by Dathan Powell (Macbeth, Bat Boy). Lighting design is by Gregory C. Brenchley (Falsettos, The Scarlet Letter). Costume design is by Assistant Professor of Costume Design Linda Pisano (Bacchai, Sweeney Todd). Additionally, Leslie Hammond is completing her theatre technology thesis project with She Stoops to Conquer.
She Stoops to Conquer opens on Friday, February 24, with additional performances February 25, 27, 28, and March 1-4. Performances will take place in the Ruth N. Halls Theatre, and please remember that this year all performances will begin at 7:30 PM. Ticket prices are $15.00 for adults and $13.00 for students and seniors (discounts Monday-Thursday only). STUDENT RUSH tickets are available 30 minutes before every performance; students with a valid IU I.D. may purchase any available tickets for $10 cash. Group prices are available. For ticket information, call 812-855-1103 and ask for info about Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center tickets. To purchase tickets by phone, call Ticketmaster at 333-9955 (for the Bloomington, Indiana area) or visit www.ticketmaster.com . For more information visit theatre.indiana.edu.
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