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A Note From the Director....

Like many, I first read Pride and Prejudice in high school and was instantly enamored with the story.  I subsequently fell in love with th enumerous film and TV adaptations released over the years.  But it wasn't until 2018, when I saw the regional premiere of Kate Hamill's adaptation that I found a stage version that resonated with me.

Turning classical literature into a stage play is no easy feat.  It is up to the playwright to have an original take on the work.  Ms. Hamill is less concerned with Regency Era decorum and more with creating a larger than life world for these delightful characters to come alive.  This playful adaptation reads more rom-com than period-piece.  But even within its silliest moments, the show begs the questions (in the immortal words of Taylor Dayne): is this really love or just a game?

Speaking of- I immediately knew I wanted the show to sound like a John Hughes' soundtrack.  '80s popular music is ultimately about self-expression and love.  There is something about a synthesizer that feels simultaneously dramatic, yet playful, which matches this adaptation to a tee.  In watching Lizzy struggle with her own feelings towards marriage, it felt natural to accompany her with songs from Madonna, Tears for Fears, David Bowie and more from the MTV Generation.  

Who is to say what Jane Austen would think about this cheeky production?  She was a clergyman's daughter after all.  It may not sound or look anything like the original novel, but I would like to think the spirit of the story is very much alive in this production. At its core, it is a story about first impressions, gender roles, class and, of course, love.  So, whether this is your first encounter with Pride and Prejudice or you are a diehard Mr. Darcy fan, I guarantee you will find something (and someone) worth dancing for.