[NEohioPAL] Berko review: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Cleveland Play House)

[Roy Berko]

Charming ‘PRIDE AND PREJUDICE’ at Play House

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

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An interesting side-bit about Jane Austen, the author
of the book which has been interpreted into a play,
which is presently in production at The Cleveland Play
House, is that her tombstone does not include any
information about her being a playwright.  In fact,
her books didn’t even include her name as the writer. 
They are credited to someone named, “The Author.” 
But, in spite of those slights, Austin was undoubted
the greatest woman author of the early 1800s.  And her
‘PRIDE AND PREJUICE,’ first published in 1813, is
considered to have been one of the first “romantic
comedies” in the history of the modern novel.

Austin’s books and plays may seem like soap-operas by
present day standards, but put in context, she
mirrored the society about which she was writing. 
This was a period of pretense, class distinctions and
proper marriages. 

The book starts with the line, "It is truth
universally acknowledged, that a single man in
possession of a good fortune must be in want of a
wife."  It is this want that pushes forth the script’s
plot,  a plot which centers on independent-minded
Elizabeth Bennet and the efforts made by her mother to
find husbands for Elizabeth and her sisters.  When
Elizabeth meets the handsome but enigmatic Mr. Darcy,
the play becomes a contest between strong wills, pride
and prejudices.

The Cleveland Play House production, under the wise
and purposeful direction of Peter Amster is plush,
focused and charming.  In spite of its length, three
acts and two intermissions, the movement flows
effectively. 

Amster develops a mood that is era correct.  He is
aided by Robert Koharchik, who has created an
absolutely gorgeous and functional set and Gail
Brassard’s equally glorious costumes.  CPH has let
loose the budget on this production and it shows!

Americans often have trouble creating the right sound
and feel for British drama and comedy.  No problem
here.  Dialect coach Don Wadsworth has the cast using
the right accents, with sounds that are easy to
understand and are consistent.  Andre Hopson’s musical
interludes and underscores highlight the moods and
transition the set changes.  

The cast is wonderful.  The petite, lovely and perky
Chaon Cross makes Elizabeth live. Though he seems a
bit disengaged at first, handsome Jason Bradley grows
into the role of Darcy so that at the end, he is
totally on target.   Bill McGough, is a delight in his
underplaying Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth’s father. 

Judith Day, as Mrs. Bennet, has the difficult task of
playing a role that demands to be over-the-top, serve
as comedy central, and yet not look like she is
begging for laughs.  She does the balancing act
effectively.  

The rest of the cast is up to the demands of clearly
written characters and each makes their character
distinct.

CAPSULE JUDGMENT:  If you are a fan of British
escapist literature, you can do no better than seeing
the CPH’s fine production of ‘PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.” 
Applause, applause to Peter Amster, his fine cast and
technical crew.

CPH’s multidisciplinary performing arts Fusion Fest
’08  will feature three creative one-person
performances:  ‘A HANDSOME WOMAN RETREATS’ which stars
comedian and actress Kim Mayans; ‘RUNT OF THE LITTER,’
which features Bo Easton, the former Houston Oilers’
football star, in his semi-autobiographical script;
and ’25 QUESTIONS FOR A JEWISH MOTHER by Emmy
Award-winning actress Judy Gold.  For days and details
of the festival and tickets for ‘PRIDE AND PREJUDICE,
go to clevelandplayhouse.com or call 216-795-7000.



Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2007, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info
      
Roy's theatre and dance reviews appear regularly on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.  His reviews also appear on www.coolcleveland.com


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