The first act of Austen’s Pride is a delightful realization of a clever idea. The second act is even better.
This musical version of Pride and Prejudice has book, music, and lyrics by Lindsay Warren Baker and Amanda Jacobs. The show is currently receiving its world premiere at Stages St. Louis.
The key feature of this adaptation is that Jane Austen herself is the main character. At the start, she receives a letter from her publisher asking her for another novel to follow up on the great success Sense and Sensibility. This request troubles Austen because she has nothing ready for publication. Her sister, Cassandra, suggests an earlier work called First Impressions, but Austen considers that book is too personal, and she does not want to be reminded of her own failure in love.
Even so, Austen goes back to the manuscript of First Impressions. When she starts reading, the characters come onstage to act out the story. It captures Austen’s imagination, and reviewing the manuscript turns into revising it with Cassandra’s help.
The musical shows how First Impressions becomes Pride and Prejudice. The differences between the two version are striking. Austen has a long way to go to arrive at the beloved work we know.
Austen and Cassandra have extensive, sometimes startling interactions with the novel’s characters, who have minds of their own. Sometimes, the Austen sisters take the parts of characters. This portrayal the creative process is engaging and insightful.
The action of both the novel and its creation come to a head in the second act. Several great musical numbers are integral parts of telling both stories. The elopement of Wickham and Lydia, for example, is a gripping drama.
Stages has assembled a splendid cast for this production, which embarks on a national tour at the end of the St. Louis run. Austen and her two principal characters are played by excellent actors who are wonderful singers. Olivia Hernandez as Austen and Delphi Borich as Elizabeth Bennet are extraordinary in a duet in which author and character reach an understanding. Dan Hoy is a stunning soloist in “Fine Eyes,” Mr. Darcy’s soul-bearing avowal of love.
Dianica Phelan is the best of sisters as Cassandra. Cole Thompson as Mr. Bingley and Addie Morales as Jane Bennet make the secondary couple a perfect match in very sweet performances. Michael Burrell leaves no doubt about the superficial charm of George Wickham, who is based on the man Austen once loved. Bingley’s sister Caroline is a peevish rival of Elizabeth in Sarah Ellis’s sharply etched portrayal. Paul Castree draws loud laughs from the audience in an over-the-top portrayal of Elizabeth’s impossibly smug suitor, Mr. Collins.
Fine contributions are made by Kevyn Morrow as Mr. Bennet, Sally Wilfert as Mrs. Bennet, Sarah Ellis as Mary Bennet, Cali Noack as Catherine “Kitty” Bennet, Kate Fahey as Lydia Bennet, Sally Wilfert as Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Michael Burrell as Tom Lefroy, Cali Noack as Georgiana Darcy, Paul Castree as Mr. Gardiner, Sarah Ellis as Mrs. Gardiner, Travis Anderson, Matt Gibson, Keith Johnson, Drew Tanabe as Redcoats.
The impact of the musical numbers is enhanced by Lisa Shriver’s choreography and the accomplished orchestra under conductor and music director Sheela Ramesh.
Igor Goldin’s direction brings clarity to the intermingling of the story in the novel with the story of its creation. Costume designer Emily Rebholz helps keep the storytellers distinct from the novel’s characters by giving the Austens less conspicuous clothes than the others. The show benefits from Jason Lyons’ lighting, Phillip Peg Low’s sound, and Tommy Kurzman’s wig and hair design.
Josh Zangen’s scenic design is fine for a touring production, but I expect the set to be more elaborate in the future productions this show is likely to have.
—Gerry Kowarsky
Photo © Phillip Hamer Photography
Mr. Darcy (Dan Hoy, left) hands a letter to Elizabeth Bennet (Delphi Borich, right) as Jane Austen (Olivia Hernandez, center) looks on in Austen’s Pride.
