Theater Emory presents Oliver Goldsmith's
"She Stoops to Conquer: Or, The Mistakes 
of a Night"

ATLANTA, GA (Feb. 15) - Theater Emory presents Oliver Goldsmith's hilarious 18th-century romp "She Stoops to Conquer: Or, The Mistakes of a Night" at 7 p.m. on Feb. 16-18 and 23-25 and at 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 19, 25 and 26. Follow heroine, Kate Hardcastle, as she disguises herself as a wench in search of lasting love and Mrs. Hardcastle as she longs and looks for missing jewels, big-city status and fleeting eternal youth. Directed by Emory Associate Professor of Theater Studies and dramaturg, Michael Evenden, "She Stoops to Conquer" is performed in the Mary Gray Munroe Theater, Dobbs University Center. For tickets, call 404-727-5050.

   Dysfunctional families, clever hoaxes and society blunders highlight this wild world of class courtships and mad-capped misunderstandings within an American rural setting. The decision to reset the production in post-colonial Pennsylvania was easy for Evenden. There is a "pursuit of happiness" within the originally English play that hints to the struggles of the early colonists. Evenden adds, "If there was a place where America was going to get it right," it was Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. Audiences, Evenden notes, might be "drawn to the promise of what this country was supposed to be, and measure where we are now."

   Born in Ireland, the son of a clergyman, Goldsmith's colorful young adulthood consisted of pivoting from one career and scholarly course to another and experiencing issues with gambling, debt, and drinking to excess. 
He studied in Dublin, Edinburgh and Lieden and traveled covering his costs with odd jobs, writing assignments, his charm and a talent for flute. He settled in London to practice medicine and write poetry, novels, translations and plays. "She Stoops" was one of his more popular successes, setting him on a path of greater respect in literary circles. He was known for his absurdity and inappropriate behavior and remarks. His playwriting mission was to break from the sterile comedic style of works of his day. A founder of "The Club," his notable works include: "The Citizen of the World"; "The Traveller"; "The Vicar of Wakefield"; "The Good-natur'd Man"; "The Deserted Village"; "The Life of Richard Nash"; and "The Rising Village." Goldsmith died in his forties.

   The cast includes Marshall Marden, Allen O'Reilly, Mary Lynn Owen and Gene Ruyle, as well as a host of Emory students. Theater Emory's casting is nationally unique as it ensembles some of the most prominent actors from the region with undergraduates providing a mutual learning experience. Working with the cast, particularly the student actors, has been a pleasure for Evenden. "As lost as students are when they graduate from college into a new world, the play says, 'Nature is on your side. It's not that hard to be happy, to enjoy life.' There is a good reason for hope, and happiness is available.

   Set design is by Associate Professor and Chair of Theater Studies Leslie Taylor, costume design is by Theater Emory Costume Shop Manager Marianne Martin, lighting and sound design is by Theater Studies Lecturer Judy Zanotti, musical direction is by Kendall Simpson.

   Theater Emory's 2005-2006 March Through History continues with Thornton Wilder's "Skin of Our Teeth" (April 14-23) with Chris Kayser, Marshall Marden, Bryan Mercer, Joan Pringle, and Emory students. This Pulitzer-prize winning satire follows the archetypal Antrobus family as they survive the Ice Age, the Great Flood, and World War III and is itself a march through the history of man's triumph. The season concludes with performances by Universes: "Live from the Edge" (free, McDonough Field, April 17, 7 p.m.) and "Eyewitness Blues" (ticketed, Emerson Concert hall, April 19, 7 p.m.

   "She Stoops" tickets are $15; $12 for non-Emory students, patrons over 65, and other discount category members; and $6 for Emory students. The Feb. 17 performance is the Pay-What-You-Can Performance (pay-what-you-can tickets are only sold at the door based on availability).