Tale of mistaken identities on stage this weekend

Mistaken identities. Love. Lust. Relationship crises. Laugh-out-loud humor. No, this is not a reference to the typical events of a weekend at IU, but rather to Sir Oliver Goldsmith's comedy of manners, "She Stoops to Conquer," which will run at 7:30 p.m. Friday through March 4 at the Ruth N. Halls Theatre.\nAccording to the press release, the performance "combines slapstick visual humor with perfectly phrased wit to create a uniquely comedic brew." \nThis 18th-century comedy centers on the independently minded, well-to-do Miss Kate Hardcastle, played by graduate student Renée Racan Rodríguez. Her hand has been promised in marriage to Sir Charles Marlow, played by graduate student Eric VanTielen, a timid young gentleman reluctant to enter into a relationship with a stranger, finding upper-class women to be immodest and hypocritical. \nHilarity ensues and the true facets of each character's personality are exposed when Kate's mischievous cousin, Tony Lumpkin, played by graduate student Tom Conner, fools Marlow into believing that the Hardcastle house is an inn and Kate masquerades as a barmaid to learn the true character of her betrothed.\nThis production marks the IU directorial debut of Fontaine Syer, who worked extensively in the professional field before assuming her current faculty position as an associate professor in the Department of Theatre and Drama. \n"(Syer) truly brings out the talent of everyone in this cast," Rodriguez said.\nAlthough "She Stoops to Conquer" was originally performed in 1773, the play still resonates with audiences today in terms of its thematic content.\nThe conflict between what parents want for their children and what the children want for themselves should be easy for college-aged students to relate to, Syer said. \nBeyond the intricate plot, the characters and the performances, this production also seems to be visually spectacular. The elaborate costumes for "She Stoops to Conquer" are being designed by Linda Pisano, the head of IU's costume design program. \nFor actors Rodriguez and Brendan Pentzell, playing Mr. Hardcastle, performing in "She Stoops to Conquer" is bittersweet. For both, this is their thesis project to receive their Master's of Fine Arts in acting, and these roles mark the winding down of their last semesters at IU. For Rodriguez, leaving the theatre program is bittersweet.\n"I have had the opportunity to work with impressive talent," she said.\nAdmission is $15 for adults and $13 for students and seniors. For more information call 855-1103 or visit the Department of Theatre and Drama's Web site, www.theatre.indiana.edu.