Austen-style love triangles and dresses with hoop skirts combine with Shakespearean soliloquies, duels, and mistaken identity in the opening of The Rivals at The Catholic University of America. The beautifully executed period drama was well worth the trouble it took to find the Hartke Theatre in the cold and dark — for anyone taking the Metro, prepare for a walk.
Written by Richard B. Sheridan and directed by Eleanor Holdridge, the story follows the romance of Lydia Languish (Christina Feretinos) and Captain Jack Absolute (Ryan Alexander). Lydia longs for adventure and romance. Jack longs for her. In order to woo the spirited Lydia, Jack hides his wealth and presents himself to her as “Ensign Beverley” rather than as a captain, proposing a scandalous elopement. Meanwhile, his father plans to arrange a match between the two. A parallel romance in which Faulkland (Andrew Annicharico) tests the love of his devoted Julia (Abigail Aronne) draws out the ironies of the lovers’ troubles. Jack becomes quite literally a rival to himself by his two identities, Faulkland only in his own head. Mistaken identity, imagination, and the anxieties of lovers all play a role as chaos ensues.
The show embodies a common adage in the theater world: There are no small roles, only small actors. From Jacob Werner’s antics as the pompous and cowardly Bob Acres to the deck crew member who plays a flustered klutz and had me cracking up during scene changes, the smaller roles in this show sometimes outshine the leads.
Werner brings all of himself to every scene. In his introduction to Faulkland, the character Acres has only a few lines. But Werner stays fully engaged in the scene throughout, looking out the window, eating Jack’s food from the table, and being a general nuisance. Later, he demonstrates his acting chops when his friend Sir Lucius O’Trigger (Mateo Sur) sways him in conversation to declare a duel to preserve his honor.
Each of the leads gave strong performances as well, and Annicharico stands out. He plays a nervous wreck of a man, Faulkland, whose only rival for the hand of Julia is his own anxiety about her love for him. While Alexander as Jack Absolute sometimes falls flat in key comedic moments, Annicharico understands comedic timing and how to build to an emotional crescendo in a scene. He is genuinely hilarious in his physicality and facial expressions and a master of diction.
These are incredibly well-trained college actors. When the entire cast appears on stage in the climactic scene, even the way each of them stands communicates their character choices. The ditsy and gossipping maid Lucy (Alexa Palena) stands with one arm crossed and one out like Audrey Hepburn smoking a cigarette. Faulkland holds his ground proudly with his chest up. The nosy matchmaker Mrs. Malaprop (Kathryn Parr) looks exasperated, pink plastic fan in hand.
The quality of the costumes by Margaret E. Weedon, scenic design by Sarah Beth Hall, and choreography by Bess Kaye made this show shine. I could hear the rustle of Julia’s silky skirt as she crossed the stage to Faulkland. The set design was simple yet effective, with matching windows on each side of the stage with curtains — one blue and one pink — lowering from the rafters to indicate the respective homes of Jack and Julia. Attendees will have to watch the second half to find out why the program lists Kaye as “Intimacy & Fight Director.” Vocal Coach Melissa Flaim also deserves credit for the strong vocal performances of Aronne as Julia, Sir Anthony (Robert Garza), and Parr as Mrs. Malaprop.
With the proposed consolidation of the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art with the School of Arts and Sciences at the Catholic University of America this spring, theater students at CUA should be proud of what they have accomplished. The Rivals showcases professional-level talent on all fronts while drawing the audience into a comical whirlwind of wit and imagination.
Running Time: Two hours with a 10-minute intermission.
The Rivals plays through February 23, 2025, presented by the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art, performing at the Hartke Theatre, 3801 Harewood Rd. NE, Washington, DC, on the campus of the Catholic University of America. Tickets ($10 for students and $25 for general admission) are available online.
COVID Safety: Masks are optional
The Rivals
Written by Richard B. Sheridan
Directed by Eleanor Holdridge
CAST
Kathryn Parr (Mrs. Malaprop)
Christina Feretinos (Lydia Languish)
Abigail Aronne (Julia)
Isabelle Valdes (Daisy)
Alexa Palena (Lucy)
Sylvia Marcantel (Thomasina)
Robert Garza (Sir Anthony)
Ryan Alexander (Captain Jack Absolute)
Andrew Annicharico (Faulkland)
Matt Riordon (Stick)
Jacob Werner (Bob Acres)
Mateo Sur (Sir Lucius O’Trigger)
Jacob Harris (Mr. Du Peigne)
Sophia Jeffress (Greta)
Kennedy Elizabeth (Jane)
CREW
Stage Manager (Madelyn Kobbermann)
Assistant Stage Manager (Anna Maria Fasse)
Light Board Operator (Katie Vitale)
Sound Board Operator (Daniel Schlegel)
Deck Crew (Kat Caldwell, Natalie Watson, Zoe Bernabe)
Wardrobe Crew (Lauren Rafoth, Catherine Efantis)
Wardrobe Crew-Wigs (Angelo Carucci)
Follow Spot Operator (Nora Junge, John Paul Szewczuk)
CREATIVE TEAM
Vocal Coach (Melissa Flaim)
Intimacy & Fight Director (Bess Kaye)
Lighting Designer (Jason Aufdem-Brinke)
Associate Lighting Designer (Camille Kashaka)
Costume Designer (Margaret E. Weedon)
Scenic Designer (Sarah Beth Hall)
Special thanks to Chesapeake Shakespeare Company and The University of Maryland, College Park
