CRT Presents PRIDE AND PREDJUDICE 2/24-3-6

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, adapted by Joseph Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan, Feb. 24 - Mar. 6, 2011 in the Nafe Katter Theatre on the Storrs campus. For tickets and information, call 860-486-4226 or visit www.crt.uconn.edu.

The works of Jane Austen have been read and adapted for almost two hundred years, but no adaptation has been more popular or illuminating than the recent translation to the stage of Pride and Prejudice by Joseph Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan. This version captures Austen's cleverness and fervor in the telling of this witty, elegant, sharply observed and richly rendered love story. Even the most cynical among us have trouble resisting this story's most satisfying resolution.

Mrs. Bennet has five eligible daughters and a lot at stake. This early Nineteenth Century British middle class family has no sons, so their future depends on finding wealthy matches. When a pair of upper class bachelors appears on the scene, passions quickly escalate and romantic sparks fly! CRT is presenting the East Coast premiere of this exciting new stage adaptation of one of the most delightful and popular romances of all time.

The Bennet family is thrilled when the Bingleys come to Netherfield. Young Mr. Bingley is an eligible bachelor and Mrs. Bennet is sure one of her daughters will be his match. Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia are all awaiting the day a wealthy bachelor sweeps them off their feet. Yet when Mr. Bingley arrives at the public ball with his sister and close friend Mr. Darcy, the encounters are not what the Bennet's expected.

Despite all the complications and obstacles, despite their pride and prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy are drawn together in one of the most romantic stories ever told.

Director Helene Kvale said, "It is a delight to be working on a period piece that engenders such a passionate response amongst contemporary audiences. Austen's beautifully constructed narrative wrapped in wit and irony is not just a romance, but a subtle commentary on 1811 English domestic life. In the context of revolutionary upheaval abroad, Pride & Prejudice raises questions about the marriage market and the strictures of class and gender. We are drawn in by Austen's gloriously portrayed characters, rich in dimension and humor."

Dramaturg Dassia Posner said, "There is something wonderful about experiencing Austen directly for the audience and for the actors who are studying nineteenth century life from card games to embroidery to literature, including an understanding of how class and gender impacted relationships. We are going to continue this hands-on approach to Austen with audience dance workshops and an afternoon tea at the Nathan Hale Inn."

CRT is more than a professional theatre, it is a center for the intellectual and cultural life of our community. CRT's "Uncommon Sense" Series is a collection of events, many of which are free and open to everyone, that investigate a variety of aesthetic and academic topics through performing art. For regular updates on all "Uncommon Sense" Series events, sign up for CRT's electronic newsletter at www.crt.uconn.edu, or call (860) 486-4226 for information.

For Pride and Prejudice, CRT will sponsor the following special events:

Join us for a FREE class in dance from Jane Austen's period - learn about the mood, music and moves, and practice a few steps! The dance workshop will be led by Math Professor, Q Center Director, and Austen fan Tom Roby, who teaches "Jane Austen Dances" at UConn. Call 860-486-1629 to reserve space - space is limited.

High Tea at the Nathan Hale Inn

Join us for this traditional "meal" featuring a menu specially prepared by the Nathan Hale Inn and including music and a celebration of the tradition of Tea in British culture Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011 immediately following the 2 p.m. matinee at Blue Oak Café, Nathan Hale Inn. The cost is $25 per person, payable in advance by calling the Nathan Hale Inn at 860-487-7778 and requesting "High Tea" reservations. Advance reservations required.

Helene Kvale (Director) Member of British Actor's Equity. West End theatre includes Burning Blue (2 Olivier Awards), Life During Wartime, To Kill A Mockingbird. For the National Theatre: King Lear/Richard III, Napoli Milionaria, Gitta's Atonement. TV/Film includes: Tomorrow La Scala (BAFTA nominee), Prime Suspect, Soldier Soldier, Daddy's Girl, This Life, London Bridge, Hearts and Bones. Screenplays include: Burning Blue. Professor of Acting at UConn. Director for CRT: Too Much Memory, The Skin of Our Teeth, Gut Girls. Artistic Director of Bated Breath Theatre Company: A Doll's House, The Parkville Project and now Hunger for Real Art Ways in September. www.batedbreaththeatre.org.

Laura Crow (Costume Designer) is an internationally known designer whose costumes have been seen in over 300 productions as far away as Japan and Yugoslavia as well as in

England, Europe and the United States. Her work is best known in the States through her poetic realism designs for Lanford Wilson's productions on Broadway and as the resident designer for Circle Rep for 13 years. Her many awards include the Drama Desk, Obie, Villager, Maharam and American Theatre Wing Awards (New York Broadway and off-Broadway), the Drama-Logue and BackStage West Garland Awards (Los Angeles), Joseph Jefferson Awards (Chicago) and the Bay Area Critics Award (San Francisco). She has been selected four times to be among those representing American Theatre Design at the Prague Quadrennial and is the Head of the Costume Working Group for the Scenography Commission of The International Organization of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT). Laura is a Professor of costume history and design and the head of the costume design program at the University of Connecticut.

The Creative team includes: Travis George, Scenic Designer; David Smith, Lighting Designer; Laura Crow, Costume Designer; Spencer Emanuel, Composer; Mark Novick, Projection Designer; Christine Gambardella, Choreographer; Mary Costello, Stage Manager; and Dassia Posner, Dramaturg.

The cast will feature Equity actors Laurie Birmingham (Mrs. Bennet) and Roger Forbes (Mr. Bennet).

Laurie Birmingham (Mrs. Bennet) Laurie comes to us from NYC where she has recently moved. She has been working for the better part of 40 years in the theatre: acting, singing, directing, and teaching. Regional credits include: 17 years at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, eight seasons with Utah Shakespeare Festival, two seasons with Alabama Shakespeare, as well as The Asolo Theatre, American Players Theatre, and Madison Rep. Some favorite roles: Josie Hogan from A Moon for the Misbegotten, Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit, Queen Elizabeth in Mary Stuart, and next she'll play the Rev. Mother in Nunset Blvd in Bridgeport, CT.

Roger Forbes (Mr. Bennet) was a founding member of the Geva Theatre New York where he acted in and directed more than thirty plays. His credits include five seasons with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival as well as seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Alliance Atlanta, Milwaukee Rep, Buffalo Studio Arena, Long Wharf, Florida Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse and Portland Centre Stage. He spent two seasons at the Stratford Festival in Canada and has worked extensively in Europe. In 2007 he premiered his one man show Falsaff at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa winning best actor award for 2007-2008 and subsequently toured the UK in 2008. He has taught and directed at Ohio and Utah Universities and on the summer courses at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London where he is currently a member of the audition board.

The cast also includes MFA actors Brooks Brantly, Kevin Coubal, Gretchen Goode, Christina Greer, Ryan Guess, Phil Korth, Philip AJ Smithey, Robert Thompson, Jr., and Brian Patrick Williams; as well as BFA actors Kelsea Baker, Ali Barton, Tom Dubinski, Mischa Goodman, Brittany Green, Harrison Greene, Hannah Kaplan, Ali Perlwitz, Maggie Sulka, James Turner, Tiffany Vinters, Laura Zabbo, and Kate Zulauf.

Please call 860-486-4226 for tickets or for more information. Please call the box office or visit www.crt.uconn.edu for specific show dates and times because performance schedules vary and are subject to change.