The Department of Theatre in the College of Charleston School of the Arts will present its final production of the season, “Pride and Prejudice,” by Jane Austen. All of the wit and romance of Austen’s classic 1813 novel, come to life in this refreshingly fast-paced and engaging new adaptation by Jon Jory. The show will run Thursday, April 14 through Tuesday, April 19, in the Emmett Robinson Theatre in the Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip Street. Curtain times will be 8 p.m. except the Sunday show at 3:00 p.m. only. Tickets may be purchased at the box office or by telephone at 843-953-6306. Admission is $15 for general admission and $10 for College of Charleston students, faculty and staff, and senior citizens 60 and older. Those attending opening night are invited to attend a “talkback” discussion with the cast and production team following the performance.
A sparkling adaptation penned by former Actor’s Theatre of Louisville Artistic Director, Jon Jory brings the beloved novel with its story of the five Bennet sisters fully to life with all of the romantic misunderstandings, the rejected proposals, and the requisite happy endings. At the center of the story is the sharp-witted Elizabeth Bennet and her exploration of romance—led not just with her beauty, but also with her brain – as she meets the enigmatic Mr. Darcy. Along with swooning romance, the play deals with its accompanying obstacles – family baggage, social class and money matters with delicious wit and surprisingly clear-eyed observations.
Evan Parry, Director and Associate Professor of Theatre, explains, I am directing “Pride and Prejudice” because like many of us, I grew up loving Jane Austen’s novels. I find this literary work particularly wonderful because it took many social and literary conventions about love and marriage and then stood them on their heads. It manages to say that we are inherently self-centered, prone to both prejudices and pride, but that we are also capable of breaking through that excessive love of ourselves when confronted by the selfless love of or for another person.”
“It also features numerous indelible characters, some funny and some not, led by one of the all-time great hero/heroine combinations in literature: the vivacious, witty, loving Elizabeth Bennet, and the brooding, proud yet full-hearted Mr. Darcy.”
The cast includes Jessica Mitchell playing the part of Elizabeth Bennet; Will Haden playing Mr. Darcy; Kaitlin Lieck portraying Mrs. Bennet; Darielle Deigan playing Jane Bennet; George Metropolis portraying Mr. Bingley; and Nick Smithson playing Mr. Bennet.
Production staff includes Scenic Designer Carl Barnwell Jr., Costume Designer Janine McCabe and Lighting Designer John Olbrych.