[NEohioPAL]Review of Pride & Prejudice

[Martin Friedman]

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Cleveland Jewish News: October 15, 2004

Arts
Charming production of Austen classic lights up Lakeland stage 
By: FRAN HELLER Contributing Writer

Jane Austen is back!

In the 1990s, almost every one of Jane Austen's novels was made into a film or television production, generating a new and enthusiastic audience. Less frequently seen is a stage adaptation of Austen's fiction. 
That is one reason why the production of "Pride and Prejudice" at Lakeland Theatre through Oct. 31 is such a treat.

The other is director Dr. Martin Friedman's delightful rendition of a production that originated at the Gate Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. Friedman's adaptation is worth crowing about.

Under his dynamic, intelligent direction, 19 hard-working actors, only one of whom is Equity, recreate Austen's early 19th-century English world.

Yes, the English accents wobble, and the many scene changes (18 in all) slow the production in the overly long first act, but do not impede it. The individual performances range from credible to memorable, while the ensemble scenes teem with life. The end result is a well-polished production brimming with charm.

The play centers on its flawed hero and heroine, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.

Liz Conway brings one of fiction's most delightful heroines to life in her lively portrayal of the strong-willed, quick-witted Elizabeth Bennet, intent on marrying for love, not security.

The very handsome Tom Eschelman is sufficiently stiff as the snobbish, aristocratic Mr. Darcy, who is smitten with Elizabeth, despite her inferior social position. Watching Darcy's awkward, overbearing first proposal of marriage, which Lizzy rejects, is as funny as it is ludicrous.

Austen's menagerie of characters remains unforgettable. Veteran actor Mitchell Fields (the one Equity actor) is perfect as the paunchy, mildly sarcastic Mr. Bennet, indifferent to his wife and daughters, save for his favorite, Elizabeth. A father's sober warning to his daughter about her reasons for marrying is reflective of his own unhappy, ill-matched union.

A shrill, garrulous Mary Cunningham is the perfect prototype of the crass, social-climbing Mrs. Bennet, a brainless busybody whose sole aim in life is to find suitable (read: rich) husbands for her five daughters.

An amiable Meredith Conti suits the role of the agreeable Jane Bennet, the oldest and most beautiful of the Bennet sisters. Jane falls in love with Mr. Bingley, a wealthy bachelor. Their romance is thwarted by the efforts of Bingley's sister, who considers the Bennets socially inferior. Timuchin (Timo) Aker is the good-natured bachelor; Rachel Applebaum is his arrogant sister, Miss Caroline Bingley.

Hester Lewellen is excellent as the insufferably haughty and domineering aunt, Lady Catherine De Bourgh, who seeks to destroy any possibility of union between her nephew, Darcy, and Elizabeth.

Parading about like a penguin, Andrew Narten delivers an unforgettable performance as the pompous, class-conscious clergyman, Mr. Collins, a distant cousin and heir to the Bennet estate.

Collins' proposal of marriage to Lizzy, when he won't take no for an answer, is riotous. After being rebuffed, he weds the penniless Charlotte, (a credible Elizabeth Blakeslee) who takes a dim, yet practical view of marriage.

The younger Bennett sisters include Mary Britta Shirring as the dour, bookish middle sister, Mary; and Ruth Hitchcock and Lindsy Sandham as the frivolous and materialistic youngest sisters, Lydia and Kitty. The villain of the story is Mr. Wickham (Derek Adams), a fortune hunter and a liar who threatens potential ruin to the entire Bennet family.

Keith Nagy's imaginative, minimalist, free-standing set, including two doors and a large, draped picture window that reverse to an arbor, serves the numerous scenes and varying locations effectively, aided by Bill Amato's bird sounds.

Director Friedman fully utilizes the stage, which allows many things to happen simultaneously, such as a group engaged in conversation while another plays whist.

The ensemble performs a well-coordinated quadrille created by choreographer Elizabeth Flynn. The costumes, designed by Craig Tucker and John Larger, authenticate the milieu. This is a production in which the sum of its parts results in a pleasing and entertaining whole.

Look for the movie, "Pride and Prejudice," in 2005. Meanwhile, enjoy the unique opportunity of seeing a live production at Lakeland Theatre while it lasts.

Lakeland Theatre is located on the campus of Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Drive in Kirtland. Performances are Thurs. and Fri. at 8 p.m.; Sat. at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sun at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. For tickets ($12 for adults; $10 for students and seniors), call 440-525-7034 or 440-525-4774. 



		
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<P class=section>Cleveland Jewish News: October 15, 2004</P>
<P class=section>Arts</P><SPAN class=headline align="left">Charming production of Austen classic lights up Lakeland stage </SPAN>
<P class=byline align=left>By: FRAN HELLER Contributing Writer</P>
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<P class=content align=left>Jane Austen is back!<BR><BR>In the 1990s, almost every one of Jane Austen's novels was made into a film or television production, generating a new and enthusiastic audience. Less frequently seen is a stage adaptation of Austen's fiction. 
<P align=left><SPAN class=content>That is one reason why the production of "Pride and Prejudice" at Lakeland Theatre through Oct. 31 is such a treat.<BR><BR>The other is director Dr. Martin Friedman's delightful rendition of a production that originated at the Gate Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. Friedman's adaptation is worth crowing about.<BR><BR>Under his dynamic, intelligent direction, 19 hard-working actors, only one of whom is Equity, recreate Austen's early 19th-century English world.<BR><BR>Yes, the English accents wobble, and the many scene changes (18 in all) slow the production in the overly long first act, but do not impede it. The individual performances range from credible to memorable, while the ensemble scenes teem with life. The end result is a well-polished production brimming with charm.<BR><BR>The play centers on its flawed hero and heroine, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.<BR><BR>Liz Conway brings one of fiction's most delightful heroines to life in her lively
 portrayal of the strong-willed, quick-witted Elizabeth Bennet, intent on marrying for love, not security.<BR><BR>The very handsome Tom Eschelman is sufficiently stiff as the snobbish, aristocratic Mr. Darcy, who is smitten with Elizabeth, despite her inferior social position. Watching Darcy's awkward, overbearing first proposal of marriage, which Lizzy rejects, is as funny as it is ludicrous.<BR><BR>Austen's menagerie of characters remains unforgettable. Veteran actor Mitchell Fields (the one Equity actor) is perfect as the paunchy, mildly sarcastic Mr. Bennet, indifferent to his wife and daughters, save for his favorite, Elizabeth. A father's sober warning to his daughter about her reasons for marrying is reflective of his own unhappy, ill-matched union.<BR><BR>A shrill, garrulous Mary Cunningham is the perfect prototype of the crass, social-climbing Mrs. Bennet, a brainless busybody whose sole aim in life is to find suitable (read: rich) husbands for her five daughters.<BR><BR>An
 amiable Meredith Conti suits the role of the agreeable Jane Bennet, the oldest and most beautiful of the Bennet sisters. Jane falls in love with Mr. Bingley, a wealthy bachelor. Their romance is thwarted by the efforts of Bingley's sister, who considers the Bennets socially inferior. Timuchin (Timo) Aker is the good-natured bachelor; Rachel Applebaum is his arrogant sister, Miss Caroline Bingley.<BR><BR>Hester Lewellen is excellent as the insufferably haughty and domineering aunt, Lady Catherine De Bourgh, who seeks to destroy any possibility of union between her nephew, Darcy, and Elizabeth.<BR><BR>Parading about like a penguin, Andrew Narten delivers an unforgettable performance as the pompous, class-conscious clergyman, Mr. Collins, a distant cousin and heir to the Bennet estate.<BR><BR>Collins' proposal of marriage to Lizzy, when he won't take no for an answer, is riotous. After being rebuffed, he weds the penniless Charlotte, (a credible Elizabeth Blakeslee) who takes a dim,
 yet practical view of marriage.<BR><BR>The younger Bennett sisters include Mary Britta Shirring as the dour, bookish middle sister, Mary; and Ruth Hitchcock and Lindsy Sandham as the frivolous and materialistic youngest sisters, Lydia and Kitty. The villain of the story is Mr. Wickham (Derek Adams), a fortune hunter and a liar who threatens potential ruin to the entire Bennet family.<BR><BR>Keith Nagy's imaginative, minimalist, free-standing set, including two doors and a large, draped picture window that reverse to an arbor, serves the numerous scenes and varying locations effectively, aided by Bill Amato's bird sounds.<BR><BR>Director Friedman fully utilizes the stage, which allows many things to happen simultaneously, such as a group engaged in conversation while another plays whist.<BR><BR>The ensemble performs a well-coordinated quadrille created by choreographer Elizabeth Flynn. The costumes, designed by Craig Tucker and John Larger, authenticate the milieu. This is a
 production in which the sum of its parts results in a pleasing and entertaining whole.<BR><BR>Look for the movie, "Pride and Prejudice," in 2005. Meanwhile, enjoy the unique opportunity of seeing a live production at Lakeland Theatre while it lasts.<BR><BR><I>Lakeland Theatre is located on the campus of Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Drive in Kirtland. Performances are Thurs. and Fri. at 8 p.m.; Sat. at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sun at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. For tickets ($12 for adults; $10 for students and seniors), call 440-525-7034 or 440-525-4774.</I></SPAN> </P></DIV></DIV><p>
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