“THE RIVALS”HITS HILLTOP

Love is a funny thing.
It was in 1755 when Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s play “The Rivals” was first performed, and its message is still applicable now, more than 200 years later. Considered one of Sheridan’s masterpieces, “The Rivals” is a story about love and all its blunders that anybody with a heart can relate to.
Without giving too much away, “The Rivals” is about the relationship between the beautiful, romance-novel-loving Lydia Languish (senior Angelica Richardson) and the young aristocrat Captain Jack Absolute (sophomore Derek Yeghiazarian) who wins Lydia’s heart by pretending to be a penniless Ensign Beverly.
Unbeknownst to them, Jack’s father Sir Anthony Absolute (senior Josiah Williams) and Lydia’s aunt Mrs. Malaprop (freshman Katey Kraemer) have arranged a marriage between Lydia and Jack.
Of course, Lydia only knows Jack as the poor Ensign, and when Lydia finds out the man she loves is not who she thinks he is, zaniness ensues. The relationship between Lydia and Jack is only the tip of the comedy iceberg; you’ll see everything from scheming servants to attempted duels.
The fine folks at the Hartmann Center for Performing Arts, under the direction of Steve Snyder, do a fantastic job of bringing this classic play to life.  The production begins a tad slow but quickly becomes hilariously engaging as the characters and story start to develop.
The set is simple yet elegant, and the lighting and sound is done very tastefully. What really makes this show, though, is the fantastic performances and chemistry between the performers.
There is never a dull moment when Mrs. Malaprop and Sir Anthony Absolute take the stage (although their laughs may haunt your dreams), and the melancholy Faulkland’s (sophomore Peyton McDermott) overdramatic worrying is guaranteed to bring about some hearty laughter.
“The Rivals” costs a mere $7 and will run April 24 to 26 at 8 p.m., April 27 at 2:30 p.m., May 1 to 3 at 8 p.m. and May 4 at 2:30 p.m.
“The Rivals” is definitely one of the best things you can see with your time this and next weekend, so be sure to mosey on over to the Hartman Center before it’s too late.