L to R: James Houton, Susan Felder, Matthew Brumlow, Alex Goodrich, and Steve Haggard in SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER, Northlight Theater, 2007 (photo by Michael Brosilow)

The Ballad of She Stoops to Conquer

Music written and performed by Andy Hansen

Lyrics by Doug Frew and Patti McKenny

from the 2007 Northlight Theatre production of

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER by Oliver Goldsmith

Adapted and Directed by William Brown

Set Design by Keith Pitts

Costume Design by Rachel Healy

Lighting Design by Charles Cooper 

Director William Brown first staged a cowboy themed version of this play for Montana Shakespeare In The Parks in 2003. He asked lyricists Doug Frew and Patti McKenny to come up with some “Cat Ballou” style narrative ballads to introduce or link certain scenes.  I set those lyrics to music.  In 2007, a revised and revamped version of this idea was staged at Northlight Theatre in Skokie, Illinois.  We added some new songs, and made some revisions to existing songs.  That said, it wasn’t a musical.  And I’ve noted a number of song filled, but “not really a musical” versions of this show have popped up since.