The Rivals at American Players Theatre

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in recent years, it’s the power of a good laugh. The kind that bubbles up from deep in the soul and holds us gleefully, helplessly captive. This season’s answer to that basic human need is The Rivals – just the type of comedy we’ve all been pining for. Completely ridiculous, but with a full and beating heart, offering characters who are delightfully simple slices of humanity. Characters that, when held up to the light, reflect that humanity right back at us. (Lydia Languish? Jack Absolute? We’ll take one of each, with a side of Mrs. Malaprop). It’s a line these actors walk with grace and aplomb, and no matter which character enters stage right, you know they’re there for a good time. The return to joy we’ve all been craving – a big, beautiful, starlit comedy.

Authors

• Richard Brinsley Sheridan