There seems to be no limit to the appetite for versions of Jane Austen’s novels, with films, PBS series and, starting this week, an onstage presentation of Pride and Prejudice at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. This one comes our way with promising credentials. The playwright who adapted it is Jon Jory who spent more than 30 years at Actors Theatre of Louisville (he’s the guy who dreamed up and nurtured the annual Humana Festival of New American Plays), while CSC’s production is directed by D. Lynn Meyers, who usually hangs out at Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, where she’s the producing artistic director. In fact, this is her debut with the classic company, which happens to be led by Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips, a former ETC intern.
Jory’s script captures all the wit of Austen’s novel about Elizabeth Bennet, whose life swirls with the romantic dreams of her four unmarried sisters and the romantic schemes of their overzealous mother. Mom is played by Cincinnati stage veteran Sherman Fracher and another CSC regular, Sara Clark, plays strong-minded Elizabeth. Newcomer Ian Bond is Mr. Darcy, the handsome but enigmatic fellow Elizabeth is determined to avoid. Romantic misunderstandings, rejected proposals and happy endings are all part of the tale. Through March 13. Get your tickets ($22-$28) soon; the company has declared Pride and Prejudice the “fastest selling show in CSC history.” 513-381-2273.
Go here to read Julie York Coppens' review of Pride and Prejudice.
