She Stoops to Conquer

Across the Rubicon has chosen this 18th century Oliver Goldsmith comic gem as its inaugural production. She Stoops to Conquer revolves around the eligible bachelorette Kate Hardcastle (Liz Tancredi) and her plan to woo Charles Marlow (Kyle Walton), the strangely reserved young man her father has picked out for her suitor. It turns out Marlow is far less reserved among lower-class women, and Kate approaches him as a bar-maid to see what he is like in front of someone (he thinks is) less intimidating. As her plan unfolds, surprisingly timeless truths are revealed about gender, class, fashion, and perhaps above all, how to enjoy a deliciously well-executed prank.