Even if you are not a loyal fan of Victorian writer Jane Austen, or if the last time you read her classic “Pride & Prejudice” was the eighth grade, or if you’ve never witnessed one of Ken Ludwig’s zany farces, the Westport Country Playhouse is starting its 96th season of presenting fine theater with a wow of a winner. Until Saturday, November 7, dash to the Playhouse for the world premiere of Ken Ludwig’s “Pride & Prejudice Part 2 Napoleon at Pemberley” for all its laugh out loud delicious and delightful excitement.
A year ago after a complicated courtship, Delphi Borich’s Elizabeth Bennett gave her hand in marriage to Tony Roach’s Fitzwilliam Darcy and they settled in their new home together at Pemberley. While Fitzwilliam seems perfectly content, his wife feels there is something missing in their marriage: adventure and intrigue. When King George asks the Darcys to hide a fugitive at their home for a week, as soldiers are transporting the suspect to the island of Elba for imprisonment, Elisabeth sees this as the opportunity for the thrills she is seeking and consents without consulting her husband. When he discovers their new house guest is the disgraced Emperor of France, Reg Rogers’s bigger than life Napoleon Bonaparte, he is appalled.
Elizabeth is in love with the idea and finds Napoleon fascinating. Soon a houseful of friends and family arrive like the wonderfully domineering Kristine Nielson as Lady Catherine De Bourgh and her meek daughter Anne portrayed by Allison Wick who happily discovers an old suitor, Mathias Goldstein’s Lieutenant Melville on site as a trusted aide to Napoleon. Also entering the frey are Elizabeth’s sister, Lucy Austin’s Lydia and Carson Elrod as both Mr. Collins and Major Hudson Lowe. Swords clash, escapes are planned, a grand ball is organized, secrets are revealed, courtships are sealed, waltzes are danced, daring deeds are executed, and a woman determines to make a difference. Emily Mann directors this romp of romance and redemption with a clever hand, on a lovely set designed by Beowulf Boritt and period costuming by Jennifer von Mayrhauser.
For tickets ($50 and up), call the Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport at 203-227-4177 or online at westportplayhouse.org. Performances are Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 2 p.m and 7 p.m., Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Take a trip back in time and pay a visit to the Darcys, entering their world as their guest, for a cup of tea, a chance to meet a fallen dictator, an opportunity to attend a ball, the revelation of secrets and renewed romances and a whole carriage full of laughter and frivolity.
No comments:
Post a Comment