Roman Conquest

“We do not have divorce for Italian nobility. We have murder.” That is a great line from the most recent production from the Impossible Players, the John Patrick comedy, Roman Conquest. The show opened to a small but happy Friday night crowd. As the show begins we discover that secret identities will play a large role in the story. A young American heiress comes to Rome with her best friend Sue played by Molly McGuire to see if she has the chops to make it as an artist. Frank short for Francesca acted by Kristin Stewart wants to be successful because of her work not her famous name.
The story unfolds and we discover that her attempt to hide out in a run down 7th floor studio apartment is not as easy as it sounds. First she discovers that the realtor delightfully brought to life by Impy veteran, Ken Thompson has also rented the room to another young artist. Rather than cause a scene and have to carry their bags down seven grueling flights of stairs Frank and Sue decide to share the studio with the aloof Georgio played by music producer turned first time actor David Browder.
The show is made more of a farce and rounded out by many other wonderful characters including a naked 85-year-old man we never see but only hear, a rich and suspicious noble couple and a quiet and unassuming carpenter. The laughs were many and the crowd seemed to enjoy themselves. At times the actors seemed to be a bit uncomfortable with their characters and struggling for direction. This could have been due to the convoluted and at times aimless script.
Overall the entire cast was charming and a joy to watch. James Asbury was sweet and lovable as the proud but humble carpenter. He made the crowd relate to and sympathize with him from the moment he stepped on stage. Impy veteran and versatile stage actor Marvin Hays had the crowd in stitches as the confused and innocent Tony. A man willing to risk it all to get to be an American citizen, even marry a woman he doesn’t know. Mark Duvall an Impossible Player from long ago came out of his secret government work to amaze us all as the arrogant Prince.
Pueblo should be excited that Kristin Stewart stepped out from behind the curtain to grace the Impy stage. She was an absolute delight to watch and this reviewer hopes to see more of her. The two shinning stars of the night were without a doubt the quick-witted Sue played by long time theater member but new Impy Molly McGuire. She was not only funny and wonderfully charming but also lovely to watch. Second was the always-amazing Lara Craddock as the beautiful and deceitful Princess. Her lines were the funniest of the entire show and her delivery was right on the mark.
The show is a delight and a joy to watch. Spending the evening with this bunch of secretive people will be well worth the cost of the ticket. The show will be presented Saturday March 12th at 7:30pm. Sunday March 13th at 2pm, and again at 7:30pm March 18, 19, 25, and 26th. Call the Impossible Players at 719-542-6969 or visit www.impossibleplayers.org for ticket information.

-John M. Valdez, Reviewer
PPAG