Theater Review: Silly songs lift social satire in APT's 'She Stoops to Conquer'

By Lindsay Christians, The Cap Times, Jun 24, 2019

The goofy comic characters steal the show in an old school satire, and American Players Theatre’s “She Stoops to Conquer” is no exception.

Josh Krause plays Tony Lumpkin, a “booby,” “idiot” and “blockhead” who was “spoiled at his mother’s apron string” and has grown into a twentysomething manchild. Self-absorbed and frequently drunk, Tony likes hanging out at The Three Pigeons, writing ditties about why religion and “learning” are for suckers, and pulling pranks on his family members.

He’d be a pain in the ass as a brother but he’s a great character. In Laura Gordon’s new production of Oliver Goldsmith’s 1773 satire, Tony runs away with the show, singing as he goes.

“She Stoops” is a comedy of manners and a satire of class, skewering social constructs like virtue and propriety.

It’s the kind of play where people disguise themselves Clark Kent-style (a new dress? who’s that girl!?). Fathers eavesdrop visibly on private conversations between their kids. Characters remove themselves midscene to let us know what they’re thinking, usually surprise or indignation.

“A very impudent fellow this!” sputters James Ridge as Hardcastle, a country squire who’s invited the son of a good friend down to meet his daughter, Kate (Laura Rook). Thanks to a trick of Tony’s, young Mr. Marlow (Jamal James) and his friend Hastings (Ty Fanning) think the rambling old Hardcastle mansion is an inn.

Read the full review here!