The School of Theatre and Dance at Illinois State University will present Pride and Prejudice, adapted by Joseph Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan from the novel by Jane Austen, opening Thursday, March 26, and running through Saturday, April 4, in the University’s Center for Performing Arts.
Opening weekend performances will be at 7:30 p.m. March 26, 27, 28, with a 2 p.m. matinee on March 29. The show continues the following week at 7:30 p.m. April 1, 2, 3 and 4. Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for students and seniors and can be purchased at the College of Fine Arts Box Office, located in the Center for the Performing Arts; by phone at (309) 438-2535; or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife,” says Austen’s famed novel. Mr. Darcy is such a man, but can the high-spirited Elizabeth Bennet overcome her growing resentment toward him in order to discover her true feelings? This stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1813 novel captures the wit, the poetry and the heart of one of literature’s most well-known love stories.
“The power of this story for today’s audiences resides in the fact that more than 200 years ago, Jane Austen wrote about a woman who was forward-thinking and modern audiences can relate to Elizabeth’s progressive notions about gender and class,” said Director Lori Adams, head of the acting program at Illinois State. “It is a timeless, human story. This production captures the beauty of the time period and the story in an exciting and fast-paced manner that will delight Austen fans of all ages.”
Joseph Hanreddy, adaptor and former artistic director of the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, will be on campus Thursday, April 2, to meet with students, view the production and hold a post-show question and answer session with the audience. After the 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 29, a panel discussion about the play will feature Director Lori Adams, and Illinois State faculty members Bill McBride and Brian Rejack of the Department of English, and Thomas Burr of the Department of Sociology.
The production features costumes designed by Jessica Ray, lighting design by Kyle Techentin and scenic design by Kristy Benson. The production also features all eight of the School of Theatre and Dance graduate acting students (Natalie Blackman, Robert Michael Johnson, Ronald Román, Faith Servant, Bethany Hart, Joey Banks, Colin Lawrence and Colin Trevino-Odell) in the lead roles. Choreography is by dance performance major Loretta Schaefer and the sound design by arts technology graduate student Kieran Pereira.
