San Jose Stage Company's PERSUASION Premiere Begins Tonight

San Jose Stage Company is producing the World Premiere of Persuasion, Jane Austen's final novel, adapted by local Bay Area playwright, Jennifer Le Blanc.

The Threepenny Opera, originally slated for this time frame, has been rescheduled to be part of The Stage's 2013-14 Season.

"The Stage Company is excited to embrace the opportunity to produce the world premiere of Jane Austen's final novel Persuasion," said Randall King, Artistic Director of the San Jose Stage Company. "The intimate setting of The Stage venue is the perfect environment to revel in Miss Austen's characters, who must negotiate a complex code of conduct in order to survive, much less achieve their ends. The story is indicative of Austen's great talent, razor sharp, laced with irony and wit, and remarkably phrased."

Persuasion was Jane Austen's last finished novel, of only six total, and she is considered the greatest of English women novelists. There are numerous contemporary movies based upon her novels, and she has become a book club staple.

"Miss Austen directed her pen to give voice to a woman finding strength to be persuaded by her own heart. Her final novel is said to be a 'Present to herself,'" added King. "The Stage was founded upon the mission of new works and local talent, and now The Stage offers the gift of Persuasion to the Bay area."

Persuasion was first published posthumously by her family, along with Northanger Abbey, in December 1817. While the characters reflect Austen's own maturity, the book is filled with satire and is perceptive of people and their relationships, especially love.

"Persuasion is one of Austen's lesser-known novels, and the characters are old, more mature and have known heartache," says Jennifer Le Blanc, the author of this world premiere and Bay Area native. She adds that she was drawn to this works because the main character Anne has "developed her own voice." Ms. Le Blanc continues, "I admire Anne greatly; she is selfless, intelligent, practical and a strong woman to have around in a crisis."

Persuasion was presented as a staged reading at Portland's Cerimon House in March of 2012, with Ms. Le Blanc performing the lead role of Anne. This is the twelfth world premiere presented by San Jose Stage Company.

Persuasion begins preview tonight, April 3 and opens April 6. Performances are on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Persuasion runs through April 28.

Tickets range from $20 - $45 and are available at www.thestage.org or by calling the box office at 408.283.7142. Visa and MasterCard are accepted, and discounts are available for groups, students and seniors. The theatre is handicapped accessible.

The Stage is located at 490 South First Street at William Street in downtown San Jose's South First (SoFA) area.

Pictured: Maryssa Wanless as Anne in Persuasion. Photo by Dave Lepori.