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Note: This is a repost of a piece I wrote two summers ago - I'm reproducing it now because my blog was being contrary with the formatting of the original.
This summer, I had the delightful privilege of attending a performance of the lovely new musical, Austen’s Pride, at Nazareth College in Rochester, New York (the production was part of the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival's summer season, and my mother and I made the journey from our home down South). It was well worth it; the duo behind the show, Lindsay Warren Baker and Amanda Jacobs, have skillfully woven together two riveting narratives, that of the novel itself, and the story of Jane Austen’s creation of it. They’ve been working on their masterpiece for roughly sixteen years now; stimulated by the profusion of Austen adaptations that came out in the late 1990’s, the ladies set about creating something of their own. As part of their research, they went to England and visited Chawton Cottage, Austen’s home, and were inspired to include the author in their show.
Since its first performance in 2006, the musical has gone through many changes, and now, Austen has become more than a plot device; she’s a prominent character herself. She propels the play forward, both in her close bond with her sister Cassandra and in her associations with her characters. In the first scene, Jane rushes onstage to tell her beloved sibling that the publishers for Sense and Sensibility want to see more of her work, and together, the pair ponders the prospect of sending the manuscript for a certain First Impressions. Jane is uncertain at first, but with a little nudging from Cassandra, she decides to “give the story a second chance,” and is soon busy with editing her early draft.
The incorporation of Jane and Cassandra distinguishes this adaptation from all others; not only does the audience get glimpses of the sisters’ personal lives and tight-knit relationship, but their interactions influence those of the characters. For example, a comment from Cassandra about marriage for security rather than love prompts Jane to allow Charlotte to marry Mr. Collins. Jane also works alongside her characters; in one of the final scenes, Lady Catherine storms into Darcy’s house in London, fuming that Elizabeth refuses to decline his proposal. When his aunt irately asserts, “I shall not go away till you promise me that you will not marry her,” Darcy declares, “I shall make no promise of the kind.” To the dowager’s outrage, Jane replies, “Lady Catherine! Everybody has a right to marry once in their lives for love if they can.” She then slightly mollifies the mistress of Rosings with a hug.
Bested on the verbal battlefield, the livid lady departs, and Darcy admits to Austen that he loves Elizabeth in his song “Fine Eyes.” The show boasts an exquisite score, including such jewels as Mrs. Bennet’s hilariously histrionic “My Poor Nerves,” Lydia’s exhilarated “I Can’t Resist a Redcoat,” and Elizabeth’s heartfelt “When I Fall in Love.” The marvelous songs, dazzling dialogue, and the familiar-yet-fresh story combine in a positively irresistible play.
This truly wonderful show is much more than a charming way to spend an evening - it’s a catalyst for self-evaluation and beneficial change; Lindsay and Amanda hope that their work will “instill an appreciation, admiration, and love of Jane Austen and her genius,” that it will “inspire people to pick up the book and read it,” that audiences will “learn that second chances are precious opportunities,” and learn to take “love and light” into the world, as Jane does. Right now, the talented twosome are busy working on the next steps, since it is a truth universally acknowledged that a musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice must quickly reach Broadway.
Bested on the verbal battlefield, the livid lady departs, and Darcy admits to Austen that he loves Elizabeth in his song “Fine Eyes.” The show boasts an exquisite score, including such jewels as Mrs. Bennet’s hilariously histrionic “My Poor Nerves,” Lydia’s exhilarated “I Can’t Resist a Redcoat,” and Elizabeth’s heartfelt “When I Fall in Love.” The marvelous songs, dazzling dialogue, and the familiar-yet-fresh story combine in a positively irresistible play.
This truly wonderful show is much more than a charming way to spend an evening - it’s a catalyst for self-evaluation and beneficial change; Lindsay and Amanda hope that their work will “instill an appreciation, admiration, and love of Jane Austen and her genius,” that it will “inspire people to pick up the book and read it,” that audiences will “learn that second chances are precious opportunities,” and learn to take “love and light” into the world, as Jane does. Right now, the talented twosome are busy working on the next steps, since it is a truth universally acknowledged that a musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice must quickly reach Broadway.
Here's the link to the show's site: http://austensprideamusical.com
Their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/janeaustensprideandprejudice/
And their Twitter: https://twitter.com/p_pmusical
Image: The full cast of the 2016 production - photo credits to Ron Heerkins Jr.
Image: The full cast of the 2016 production - photo credits to Ron Heerkins Jr.
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