Event

The Contrast

The Contrast is set in 1787 after the Revolutionary War, but don't let this fool you! The play has plenty of things we can relate to in twenty-first century America like the theme of home-made versus foreign goods and ideas! The new country faces new challenges of self-definition, and these Americans were actively involved in a debate on moral behaviors, economic liberties and standards of education for their young country. Enter Maria Van Rough - a "dangerously well-read" young lady, betrothed as a child to Billy Dimple, a foppish lothario just returned from Europe. Falling in love instead with earnest soldier Henry Manly further complicates Maria's life in a world of contrasts and characters which include two calculating belles, a scheming servant, a naive bumpkin and a boorish old father. The contrasts between old and young, integrity and pretense, tradition and innovation, city and country living and high and low society has never been more fun!