The Rivals

The second production in RCP’s 2024 season is Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s classic comedy The Rivals directed by Jean Gordon Ryon. An enduringly popular play with audiences, The Rivals features unconventional wit, hilarious plot twists, romantic difficulties, and memorable characters, including Mrs. Malaprop whose delight in using big words is exceeded only by her ignorance of what they mean

First performed in 1775, The Rivals, became an immediate hit. It features a young woman wanting to marry for love rather than social advantage, a rich young man pretending poverty to woo her, and the many other rivals for her affection. By the end of the show, mistaken identity, dual identities, and misunderstandings galore lead to a dueling ground. 

Director Ryon has updated the time period to the “Roaring ‘20s,” adding yet more fun to this production by RCP’s Irish Program. Sheridan’s focus on society’s dramatically changing attitudes in the late-18^th century and the growing differences between generations also took place during the 1920s—the dawn of the modern age,” says Ryon. 

Placing The Rivals in the early-20^th century makes it more relevant for audiences today as well. It also reflects the Little Theater movement taking place across America at that time, and fittingly, the founding of Rochester Community Players, which produced its first season of shows in 1925.

Performances of The Rivals begin Friday, March 22, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. and continue March 23, 29, 30 and April 4, 5, 6.  A matinee show on Sunday, March 24 at 2:00 p.m. is also ASL-interpreted. All performances are at the Multi-use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC), 142 Atlantic Avenue in Rochester. 

Tickets at $20 general admission or $15 seniors/students can be purchased in advance at www.muccc.org/events/rochester-community-players-presents-the-rivals or at-the-door before each show. For groups of 10 or more people, email rochestercommunityplayers@gmail.com.