Jane Austen News

Santa Barbara theater-goers have had the opportunity to see two plays by Kate Hamill produced this fall. Westmont recently produced Hamill's adaptation of Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice. Now UCSB gifts us with Vanity Fair, based on William Makepeace Thackeray's 1848 novel. Having seen how 'with-it' Pride and Prejudice's sensibilities were, I anticipated Vanity Fair's modern twists on its classic text. The depth of Vanity Fair was an unexpected delight.

The New Group presents Clueless, The Musical by Amy Heckerling in a world premiere production with choreography by Kelly Devine, directed by Kristin Hanggi. Performances begin November 20 in advance of an Official Opening Night on Tuesday, December 11. A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through January 12 at The Pershing Square Signature Center (The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street). Get a first look at rehearsals for the show in the photos below!

Taking place two years after the conclusion of Jane Austen's beloved novel Pride and Prejudice, the bookish, oft-neglected middle sister, Mary Bennet becomes the center of our holiday story. When the shy, bookworm Arthur de Bourgh turns up unexpectedly at the family celebration, Mary must learn to be the heroine of her own story in order to receive the romance she longs for.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2018-19 season with Mansfield Park, written by Kate Hamill, based on the novel by Jane Austen, and directed by Stuart Carden. Mansfield Park runs November 8 - December 16, 2018 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press opening is scheduled for Today, November 16, 2018 at 8pm.

Free Range Humans continues its goal of bringing quality entertainment further north in the DMV area with stellar professional casts for its second season of three intimate musicals, STRIKING 12, I LOVE YOU BECAUSE, and 35MM: A MUSICAL EXHIBITION.

Up next at Olathe Civic Theatre Association is Jane Austen's beloved classic, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY. This witty comedy of manners is directed by Jessica Franz and runs at OCTA November 2 - 18, 2018, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.

Trinity Repertory Company's 2018-19 Season opener, Pride and Prejudice, recently ended a successful run, playing to sold out audiences and over 90% capacity. The comedy, which ran October 4 through November 4 was the highest-selling comedy produced by the organization since The Odd Couple in the 2009-10 Season. The production was also notable for playing to higher paid capacity than any show since The Completely Fictional - Utterly True - Final Strange Tale of Edgar Allan Poe in the 2010-11 Season. More than half of the Pride and Prejudice public performances sold out. Adapted from the Jane Austen novel by Kate Hamill, this production was directed by Birgitta Victorson. The cast included resident acting company members Angela Brazil, Janice Duclos, Rebecca Gibel, Rachael Warren, and Joe Wilson, Jr. They were accompanied on stage by guest actors Richard Donelly, Shelley Fort, and Katie Croyle.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, a contemporary twist based on a beloved classic in the Quadracci Powerhouse November 13 - December 16, 2018.

LA's own Impro Theatre will perform this holiday season from the Valley to the ocean with two of their highly-acclaimed shows: 1966 Holiday Variety Extravaganza at Garry Marshall Theatre (November 30 - December 9) and Jane Austen UnScripted at The Edye at The Broad Stage (December 14 - 22). Impro Theatre incorporates audience suggestions to create completely improvised, full-length shows in each style.

Who's ready for a night of love, murder, tea, AND Sherlock Holmes? If that sounds like the perfect cup of tea (pun intended), then hurry on over to the 413 Project to get your tickets before they sell out!

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2018-19 season with Mansfield Park, written by Kate Hamill, based on the novel by Jane Austen, and directed by Stuart Carden. Mansfield Park runs November 8 - December 16, 2018 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press opening is scheduled for Friday, November 16, 2018 at 8pm.

University Theatre decks the halls - and stage - this holiday season with the Central Valley premiere of 'Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley' by Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon. The production is directed by Brad Myers and runs December 7 - 15, 2018 in the John Wright Theatre in the Speech Arts building on the campus of Fresno State.

Jane Austen's classic novel PRIDE AND PREJUDICE will be on stage at Northern Kentucky University's School of the Arts, running Nov. 29-Dec. 9 at NKU's Corbett Theatre.

In an imagined sequel to Jane Austen's beloved Pride and Prejudice, the characters celebrate the Christmas season in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley. Focusing on the often-overlooked Bennet sister, Mary, Miss Bennet is a romantic comedy that will appeal to Austen fans, as well as those who appreciate an underdog. When Mary comes to Pemberley to spend Christmas with her sisters, she finds herself entangled in a potential romance with Mr. Darcy's awkward cousin, Arthur de Bourgh.

Longtime home for cutting-edge live performances, 4th Wall Theatre Company is thrilled to follow the success of September's "Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train" with another Houston premiere, "Pride and Prejudice." Kate Hamill's new adaptation of the novel by Jane Austen reframes the classic inside a modern lens, creating a playful comedy that feels as timely today as it did in Regency-era England. Hamill's lively work ran Off-Broadway last year to critical acclaim and is now receiving its Houston debut, just in time for the holiday season.

Directed by Christopher Annino, 'Silent Times' is a Roaring-Twenties escapade set in a small New England town. The story centers on Oliver Henry III (played by Geoff Blanchette), a small-time crook turned vaudeville theater owner. From humble beginnings in England, he immigrates to America in search of happiness and fast cash. He becomes acquainted with people from all walks of life, from burlesque performers, mimes, hobos to classy flapper girls. As his fortunes rise his life spins out of control. Much of the storyline is a reflection on current social issues that burden our society today.

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is delighted to introduce Jane Austen's Emma: The Musical to Orange County for the first time as part of our 2018 Holiday Literature Series!  Book, lyrics, and music by Tony-nominated composer Paul Gordon, directed by Casey Long, and with music direction by Bill Strongin, Jane Austen's Emma: The Musical will preview from November 23rd through November 30th; regular performances will begin December 1st and continue through December 23rd on the Cripe Stage at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) will celebrate the holidays with the imaginative and radiant Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, from November 28 to December 23 at the Nancy L. Donahue Theatre at Liberty Hall, according to Artistic Director Sean Daniels and Executive Director Bonnie J. Butkas.

For its second show of the season, the Long Beach Playhouse presents an engaging new adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice. In Jon Jory's reworking, all of the wit and romance of the novel comes to life in a fast-paced, humorous, and engaging production. Like mothers and daughters everywhere, Elizabeth Bennet and her mother do not see eye-to-eye on many of life's big questions. In their case, Elizabeth's disinterest in finding a husband is in opposition to her mother's fervent matchmaking on her daughter's behalf. Still, when a handsome and enigmatic bachelor, Mr. Darcy, comes on the scene Elizabeth's resolve to not let her feelings override her good sense is threatened. Will his pride or her prejudice doom the romance or will the chemistry between them win the day?