A Surprise Hit!

Pride and Prejudice
Adapted by Jon Jory
Directed by Erin Hurley
Choreography by Tim Cowart
Sets by SteveTenEyck
Costumes by Sam Fleming

MR. BENNETT

Jon Jory's cleverly theatrical adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel proved to be, foe me at least, a surprise hit. I must confess that I had never been an Austen fan having been exposed to Emma as an undergrad 40 odd years ago, I had missed her insight, satirical nip (as opposted to bite) and most of all her good humour. To be fair to my younger incarnation, I think Jane Austen's wit and wisdom better suited to young ladies and their elders rather than young men (boys really) who have other things on their mind than the preoccupations of their female counterparts. I'm blessed that being cast in this production obliged me to read the novel which proved to be a source of great insight and inspiration to create something more than a stock character.... In any case, Jon Jory gave Mr. Bennett some delightful lines which played superbly. And as I was paired for the first time (and I hope not the last) with the incomparable Jo Twiss, And we did all this in rep with Hamlet, which helped create a very solid ensemble a source of great joy. I found this to be quite a romp Audiences were enthusiastic and plentiful. .
Needless to say, I was surrounded by a bevy of delightful daughters: Jane was Jessica Bedford; Elizabeth was Mairin Lee; Mary, Katie Wexler; Kitty, Patti-Lee Meringo and Lydia, Emily Kiser, pedigreed fillies all. Really each of them played their distinct characters so clearly that their work didn't show. I can think of no higher compliment.

The men were fine too... especially Michael Brusasco's Mr Darcy, David Kenner's Mr. Bingley, Grant Chapman's Mr. Collins, Jacob Dresch's Col. Fitzwilliam Justin Adams' Wickham, and, of course,Greg Wood's delightful turn as the half deaf Mr. Gardiner.

A sampling of the reviews:

The Inquirer A 'P&P' that's prosaic, present-day, and pleasing by Howard Shapiro "...the excellent Mairin Lee...you do get way more than Pride and Prejudice Lite, plus fine, funny performances by Wayne S. Turney and Jo Twiss as the Bennett parents, fetching portrayals of the eldest girl Jane, and her beau by Jessica Bedford and David Kenner and others. Thanks to them, you also dive into Jane Austen's world of precision-buiilt characters."

The Morning Call 'Pride and Prejudice' utterly enchanting "It takes less than two minutes to be completely and utterly enchanted and seduced by the with, style and charm of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's production of 'Pride and Prejudice.' Jon Jory's adaptation of this beloved romantic comedy captures the wit and satire of Austen, and the result is feel-good merriment at its best. Director Erin Hurley is blessed with a cast so in tune with Austen's characters that the entire evening is a fabulous visual incarnation of Austen's wonderful world of Regency manners. ...Wayne Turney is a perfect portrait of the besieged and resigned Mr. Bennett, a man whose acerbic wit has helped him survive his marriage to a superficial and vulgar wife, and life with five daughters. Turney's Bennett is a man who has learned to distance himself from this world of women by delivering sharp-witted repartee..."

The Press PSF does Jane Austen proud by Paul Willistein "...you may want to see PSF's production...more than once...Wayne S. Turney only needs a moment or a line to generate gales of laughter and does so on several occasions.