Actors Co-op Stages Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, Now thru 3/15

Actors Co-op takes "pride" in announcing its third show in its 2014-2015 season (and 23rd year of producing theatrical excellence in Los Angeles!) with the unforgettable classic, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, written by Helene Jerome, based on the novel by Jane Austen and directed by Linda Kerns.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE will preview tonight, February 4 and Thursday, February 5 at 8pm and will open on Friday, February 6 at 8pm and run through Sunday, March 15 at the Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

This adaptation of Jane Austen's most beloved novel is a light, whimsical look at three daughters -- two of whom are eager to marry and one who will not journey down the aisle. The "original romantic comedy" features the timeless characters of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM AND CAST:

HELENE JEROME (Playwright) Born in Australia in 1883, Ms. Jerome began her writing career by contributing short stories to magazines and newspapers in Sydney and was subsequently dramatic critic for Melbourne Dramatic News. Her adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice was first produced at St. James's Theatre (1936). Her adaptation was also the basis for the 1940 film version starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier. Her other adaptations include Limelight, Jane Eyre, Charlotte Corday and All The Comforts Of Home. Her dramatizations also became the basis the film "Conquest" (1937) starring Greta Garbo as Countess Marie Walewska.

JANE AUSTEN (Novelist) was an English novelist whose books, set among the English middle and upper classes, are notable for their wit, social observation and insights into the lives of early 19th-century women. She began to write as a teenager. Her brother Henry helped her negotiate with a publisher, and her first novel, "Sense And Sensibility," appeared in 1811. Her next novel, "Pride and Prejudice," which she described as her "own darling child," received highly favorable reviews. "Mansfield Park" was published in 1814, and then "Emma" in 1816. All of her novels were published anonymously. In 1816, she began to suffer from ill health, probably due to Addison's disease. She travelled to Winchester to receive treatment and died there on July 18, 1817 at the age of 41. Two more novels, "Persuasion" and "Northanger Abbey," were published posthumously and a final novel was left incomplete. She never wrote a memoir, sat for an interview, or recorded whether she had herself felt the joys and disappointments of love. The biographical facts may never adequately explain the quick wit, the sharp insight, and the deep emotional intelligence she brought to her novels.

LINDA KERNS (Director) returns to Actors Co-op where she has had the pleasure of directing Actors Co-op's productions of Going To St. Ives by Lee Blessing, Horton Foote's The Traveling Lady, Matthew Goldsby'sMakin' Hay (World Premiere) and All I Really Need To Know...Kindergarten. Linda most recently directed Guys and Dolls at UCLA. Other productions include Two By Two, The Triumph Of Love, The Fantasticks and Cabrillo Musical Theatre's Meet Me In St. Louis. Among her many projects as a music director/conductor have been Side By Side By Sondheim, The 1940's Radio Hour, Big River (directed by Richard Israel), Little Shop Of Horrors and Annie. As an actress, Linda's most recent appearance was as 'Gladys' in Cabrillo's acclaimed West Coast Premiere of Memphis. Other work includes Into The Woods (LA Weekly Award, Best Musical Performance), Nibroc Trilogy (LA Weekly Award, Ensemble Acting), and the Los Angeles Company of Wicked at The Pantages Theater. Broadway and National Tours include: Nine (Original B'way Cast), Big River, Les Miserables and Beauty And The Beast. On film: "Titanic," "Mrs. Santa Claus" and "Christmas With The Kranks," among others. She is an Associate Professor in the Ray Bolger Musical Theater Program, which is a part of the Theater department at UCLA. Member AEA, SDC.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE has assembled an award-winning design team. Set Design is by Michael Kramer. Costume design is by Vicki Conrad. Lighting Design is by Bill E. Kickbush. Sound Design is by Warren Davis. Make-Up and Hair design is by Krys Fehervari. The Dialect Coach is Jill Massie. The Stage Manager is Rita Cannon. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is produced by Selah Victor.

The Cast of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE will feature (in alphabetical order): Ivy Beech, Lori Berg, Adam Burch, Greyson Chadwick, Tim Beeckman Davis, Jennie Fahn, Francesca Fromang, Jorie Janeway, Christine Krebsbach, Bruce Ladd, Sarah Lyddan, Deborah Marlowe, James Liebman, Sean McHugh, Brandon Parrish, Skip Pipo, Paul Turbiak and Catherine Urbanek.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE will preview on Wednesday, February 4 and Thursday, February 5 at 8pm and will open on Friday, February 6 at 8pm and run through Sunday, March 15 at the Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:30pm (with two SaturdayMatinees scheduled for Saturday, February 14 and Saturday, March 14 at 2:30pm). Ticket prices are $30.00 for all Performances. Seniors (60 and over) - $25 and Students - $20.00 (with Student Rush Tickets available on Friday evenings excluding Opening night on a first-come, first served basis, subject to availability). Previews are Free to the Public. Group rates are available for parties of 6 or more. Tickets may be purchased by phone at (323) 462-8460 or visit www.ActorsCo-op.org.

Actors Co-op operates two 99-seat Equity-approved theatres on the campus of First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. Actors Co-op began in 1987 with a dozen actors. Currently, its membership exceeds 50 professionals. Called "a 99-seat miracle" by Daily Variety, Actors Co-op's numerous awards for theatre excellence include the Los Angeles Drama Critics Polly Warfield Award for "Outstanding Season" (2013) in a small to mid-sized theatre, six Ovation Award nominations including "Best Season" (2013-2014), the Margaret Harford Award for "Sustained Achievement" in smaller theatre from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle as well as the Charlie Award for "Excellence in the Arts" by the Hollywood Arts Council.

Since the Crossley Theatre opened its doors in April of 1989 and its second theatre, the David Schall Theatre opened February of 1995, Actors Co-op has produced over 100 main stage productions, over 40 Second Stage productions, staged readings of original works, and has received 19 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards (six wins), 34 LA Weekly Award nominations (six wins), 29 Ovation Award nominations (three wins), five Garland Awards and 125 Drama-Logue Awards. In addition, Actors Co-op was honored with the Margaret Harford Award for "Sustained Achievement" in smaller theatre from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, as well as the Charlie Award for "Excellence in the Arts" by the Hollywood Arts Council.

Actors Co-op is located at 1760 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, CA 90028, on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, one block north of Hollywood Boulevard, just off the Gower Street exit of the 101 Hollywood Freeway. Free, well-lit parking is available on Carlos Street (1/2 block east of Gower).

Actors Co-op's 23rd season, entitled "The Story Is the Journey" includes THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, Book, Music and Lyrics by Rupert Holmes, THE DIVINERS by Jim Leonard, Jr., PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Helen Jerome, from the novel by Jane Austen, MY CHILDREN! MY AFRICA! by Athol Fugard and AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS by Mark Brown, from the novel by Jules Verne.

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