Photo Flash: Sneak Peek - Improvised Jane Austen to Make Merry for Michaelmas

Chicago Reader-recommended and a PerformInk Critic's Pick, Improvised Jane Austen performs on four Sundays this fall at the Blackout Cabaret in Piper's Alley. Starting off the holiday theater season early, the long-running all-female comedy team makes merry for Michaelmas, conjuring a tale on the spot in the style of the beloved 19th-century novelist. Headstrong heroines, cads and suitors, meddling mothers and merry misadventures culminate in a properly absurd British conclusion. Scroll down for a sneak peek!

Falling on September 29th this year, Michaelmas is the feast of St. Michael, a traditional harvest festival referenced in several of Jane Austen's works. In the Regency Era, the holiday saw blackberry pies and fattened roast geese at banquets and balls, as tenant farmers paid rent and manor lords filled their coffers. The soiree-loving Ladies of IJA are delighted to make merry on Michaelmas once more!

Since 2009, the ladies of Improvised Jane Austen have graced venues including the McKaw Theater, the Playground Theater, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, Stage 773, Bughouse Theater, Chicago Improv Festival, the Chicago Women's Funny Festival, The Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival, The Milwaukee Comedy Festival, and the Dallas Comedy Festival, as well as historical societies, schools and even bridal showers.

The Ladies are: Allison Black, Vickie Eisenstein, Emily Friedrick, Robin Hellmann, Stephanie Jones, Josephine Longo, Mariah Michael, Sarah Mobley, Jessye Grace Mueller, Kate Parker, Holly Robison, & Ana Silva.

Visit improvisedjaneausten.com or find them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/improvisedjaneausten, Twitter - twitter.com/TheMissAustens, and Instagram: www.instagram.com/improvisedjaneausten.

Photo Credit: David Audino & Richard Mobley

Emily Friedrick, Stephanie Jones, and Robin Hellmann Photo: David Audino 

Holly Robison and Emily Friedrick Photo: David Audino

(seated) Emily Friedrich, Stephanie Jones, Allison Black, Mariah Michael, Vickie Eisentstein, Holly Robison; (standing) Ana Silva, Jessye Grace Mueller, Sarah Mobley and Kate Parker Photo: Richard Mobley

Stephanie Jones, Vickie Eisenstein, Ana Silva, Josephine Longo, Jessye Grace Mueller, Allison Black, Holly Robison, Emily Friedrick and Robin Hellmann Photo: David Audino

(top) Allison Black, Holly Robison, Vickie Eisenstein, Sarah Mobley, Stephanie Jones, Mariah Michael, Ana Silva; (bottom) Kate Parker, Jessye Grace Mueller and Emily Friedrich Photo: Richard Mobley

Vickie Eisenstein, Stephanie Jones, Ana Silva and Robin Hellmann Photo: David Audino