[NEohioPAL]Lakeland: Rave Review of Pride&Prejudice in Clevelandwomen.com

[Martin Friedman]

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Pride and Prejudice 
at the Lakeland Theaterby 
Kelly Ferjutz
Clevelandwoman.com


'Tis a truth universally acknowledged. . .that ten or so years ago, Jane Austen was the biggest name in films. Everyone was talking about the sumptuous BBC/A&E six-hour production of Pride and Prejudice, considered by many to be the very best costume film ever made. Colin Firth as the smoldering Mr. Darcy brought England to a standstill each week when a new episode was shown. Ratings went through the roof. 

There followed Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Emma, and Mansfield Park, as well as a TV version of Emma. Next year there will be yet another P&P for movie theaters, this one NOT featuring Mr. Firth. 

If you can't wait until next year, there are two more weeks for you to enjoy a live presentation of Ms. Austen's most famous novel, Pride and Prejudice. Lakeland Theatre, on the campus of the Community College in Kirtland is presenting, for only the second time in the US, a new adaptation of the book by James Maxwell, with a revision by the Irish actor/director/playwright Alan Stanford. It's a perfectly delightful way to spend an afternoon or evening. 

In a time when property was entailed-going to the next eligible male relative, and disinheriting wives and daughters-a family with five daughters was naturally concerned with finding suitable husbands for the young women. This is, in a nutshell, the plot. It is Ms. Austen's delicious sense of satire and prodigious wit that make her books such delightful reading. Fortunately, this is mostly kept intact in the play, and most of the book's inhabitants are also to be found on-stage. 

Director Martin Friedman hit the jackpot with his cast. Cleveland veteran Mitchell Fields is only somewhat irascible as Mr. Bennet. His behavior is easy to comprehend once we become acquainted with Mrs. Bennet, perfectly portrayed by Mary Cunningham. Elizabeth Bennet is brought to vivid life by Liz Conway, who does extra duty as a sometime narrator, speaking directly to the audience. Tom Eschelman is suitably handsome and starchy as Mr. Darcy, making his capitulation all the more believable when it happens. 

Obsequious and oblivious (sometimes simultaneously!) Andrew Narten's portrayal of Mr. Collins-heir to Mr. Bennet-draws laughter just by being there. His noble patroness, Lady Catherine DeBourgh becomes real in the personage of Hester Lewellen, and helps to explain the stuffiness of her nephew, Mr. Darcy. Her daughter, Anne (played by Shannon Hopkins) is given little to do in this production other to gaze dreamily at her cousin, who is expected to become her husband.

The other Bennet daughters are the beautiful Jane, gracefully portrayed by Meredith Conti; and the three younger 'silly girls' (in the words of their father) Mary (Mary Britta Shirring), Kitty (Lindsey Sandham) and Lydia (Ruth Hitchcock). The latter sister causes the most excitement when she elopes with the handsome rogue Mr. Wickham, as played by Derek Adams. Jane's beau, the amiable Mr. Bingley is Timo Aker, while Rachel Appelbaum is his somewhat acerbic sister, Caroline. 

Charlotte Lucas, daughter of the local squire, who has little expectations from marriage, but who marries Mr. Collins, is played by Elizabeth Volkes Blakeslee, and her father the squire by Winn Douglass. Giuseppe Diomede is Mr. Darcy's other cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and the two local gentlemen, Mr. Denny and Mr. Carter are portrayed by Michael Phillips and Chris Sgarlata, respectively. All of these characters form a charming tableau at the end of the play, drawing oohs and aahs from the audience, as well as applause. 

Keith Nagy has designed a wonderful and versatile set; a door leading off-stage on either side, with a large unattached bay window in the center. Three slightly-raised platforms across the front of the stage become separate spaces as needed, whether indoors or out. The bay window revolves (it's a neat touch having the younger Bennet girls peaking out at the happenings before being chased away), and panels indicating garden walls appear. Mr. Nagy also designed the lighting, which helps to identify day or evening, garden or drawing room. 

An adept run crew brings or removes bits of furniture as necessary to move the action along. These moves tend to slow the action just a bit, for the twelve scenes of the first act, and the six of act two, but not obnoxiously so. One is easily distracted by the charming bird sounds or music of the period as designed by Bill Amato. The excellent choregraphy-at one point there were twelve dancers behind the action at the front of the stage-is by Liz Flynn.

Costume design for a period piece with so many characters must have had Craig Tucker and John Larger pulling out their hair! For the most part, however, they got it right. 

To director Martin Friedman, however, must go the lion's share of the credit. First, for knowing of the existence of this adaptation, and second, for persisting in bringing it to Northeast Ohio. He keeps his nineteen actors moving about at a reasonably brisk pace, all the while maintaining the wit and wisdom of Jane Austen. Not an easy trick, but the end result is most satisfying. 

Pride and Prejudice runs through October 31, 2004 at Lakeland Community College's Performing Arts Center. All tickets are reserved. 

Group and senior rates are available. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. 

For ticket information either email Martin Friedman at martinfriedman98 at yahoo.com, or call 440.525.7034. 

-- Kelly Ferjutz 

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<H1>
<CENTER>Pride and Prejudice <BR>at the Lakeland Theater</CENTER></H1>
<DIV align=center>by </DIV>
<DIV align=center><STRONG><FONT size=5>Kelly Ferjutz</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV align=center><STRONG><FONT size=5>Clevelandwoman.com</FONT></STRONG><BR></DIV><FONT class=body>
<P>'Tis a truth universally acknowledged. . .that ten or so years ago, Jane Austen was the biggest name in films. Everyone was talking about the sumptuous BBC/A&E six-hour production of Pride and Prejudice, considered by many to be the very best costume film ever made. Colin Firth as the smoldering Mr. Darcy brought England to a standstill each week when a new episode was shown. Ratings went through the roof. </P>
<P>There followed Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Emma, and Mansfield Park, as well as a TV version of Emma. Next year there will be yet another P&P for movie theaters, this one NOT featuring Mr. Firth. </P>
<P>If you can't wait until next year, there are two more weeks for you to enjoy a live presentation of Ms. Austen's most famous novel, Pride and Prejudice. Lakeland Theatre, on the campus of the Community College in Kirtland is presenting, for only the second time in the US, a new adaptation of the book by James Maxwell, with a revision by the Irish actor/director/playwright Alan Stanford. It's a perfectly delightful way to spend an afternoon or evening. </P>
<P>In a time when property was entailed-going to the next eligible male relative, and disinheriting wives and daughters-a family with five daughters was naturally concerned with finding suitable husbands for the young women. This is, in a nutshell, the plot. It is Ms. Austen's delicious sense of satire and prodigious wit that make her books such delightful reading. Fortunately, this is mostly kept intact in the play, and most of the book's inhabitants are also to be found on-stage. </P>
<P>Director Martin Friedman hit the jackpot with his cast. Cleveland veteran Mitchell Fields is only somewhat irascible as Mr. Bennet. His behavior is easy to comprehend once we become acquainted with Mrs. Bennet, perfectly portrayed by Mary Cunningham. Elizabeth Bennet is brought to vivid life by Liz Conway, who does extra duty as a sometime narrator, speaking directly to the audience. Tom Eschelman is suitably handsome and starchy as Mr. Darcy, making his capitulation all the more believable when it happens. </P>
<P>Obsequious and oblivious (sometimes simultaneously!) Andrew Narten's portrayal of Mr. Collins-heir to Mr. Bennet-draws laughter just by being there. His noble patroness, Lady Catherine DeBourgh becomes real in the personage of Hester Lewellen, and helps to explain the stuffiness of her nephew, Mr. Darcy. Her daughter, Anne (played by Shannon Hopkins) is given little to do in this production other to gaze dreamily at her cousin, who is expected to become her husband.</P>
<P>The other Bennet daughters are the beautiful Jane, gracefully portrayed by Meredith Conti; and the three younger 'silly girls' (in the words of their father) Mary (Mary Britta Shirring), Kitty (Lindsey Sandham) and Lydia (Ruth Hitchcock). The latter sister causes the most excitement when she elopes with the handsome rogue Mr. Wickham, as played by Derek Adams. Jane's beau, the amiable Mr. Bingley is Timo Aker, while Rachel Appelbaum is his somewhat acerbic sister, Caroline. </P>
<P>Charlotte Lucas, daughter of the local squire, who has little expectations from marriage, but who marries Mr. Collins, is played by Elizabeth Volkes Blakeslee, and her father the squire by Winn Douglass. Giuseppe Diomede is Mr. Darcy's other cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and the two local gentlemen, Mr. Denny and Mr. Carter are portrayed by Michael Phillips and Chris Sgarlata, respectively. All of these characters form a charming tableau at the end of the play, drawing oohs and aahs from the audience, as well as applause. </P>
<P>Keith Nagy has designed a wonderful and versatile set; a door leading off-stage on either side, with a large unattached bay window in the center. Three slightly-raised platforms across the front of the stage become separate spaces as needed, whether indoors or out. The bay window revolves (it's a neat touch having the younger Bennet girls peaking out at the happenings before being chased away), and panels indicating garden walls appear. Mr. Nagy also designed the lighting, which helps to identify day or evening, garden or drawing room. </P>
<P>An adept run crew brings or removes bits of furniture as necessary to move the action along. These moves tend to slow the action just a bit, for the twelve scenes of the first act, and the six of act two, but not obnoxiously so. One is easily distracted by the charming bird sounds or music of the period as designed by Bill Amato. The excellent choregraphy-at one point there were twelve dancers behind the action at the front of the stage-is by Liz Flynn.</P>
<P>Costume design for a period piece with so many characters must have had Craig Tucker and John Larger pulling out their hair! For the most part, however, they got it right. </P>
<P>To director Martin Friedman, however, must go the lion's share of the credit. First, for knowing of the existence of this adaptation, and second, for persisting in bringing it to Northeast Ohio. He keeps his nineteen actors moving about at a reasonably brisk pace, all the while maintaining the wit and wisdom of Jane Austen. Not an easy trick, but the end result is most satisfying. </P>
<P>Pride and Prejudice runs through October 31, 2004 at Lakeland Community College's Performing Arts Center. All tickets are reserved. </P>
<P>Group and senior rates are available. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. </P>
<P>For ticket information either email Martin Friedman at martinfriedman98 at yahoo.com, or call 440.525.7034. </P>
<P>-- Kelly Ferjutz <BR>
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