The tension of two dancers at an English ball, impassioned love letters and fights, and a long walk through a field at dawn -- the scenes of "Pride and Prejudice" are recognizable and will be gracing the stage soon.
Jefferson City Home Educators presents "Pride and Prejudice" at Stained Glass Theatre on April 21-30. There will be shows at 7 p.m. April 21-22 and April 28-29, and matinee showings at 2 p.m. April 23 and April 30. All ages are welcome.
The play follows closely to the original novel, "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, and also takes from the film renditions, the 1995 BBC show and 2005 film, both of the same name. They follow the lives of English families in the early 1800s, a time when matchmaking was in fashion. Elizabeth Bennet isn't focused on finding a husband, but with four sisters, an overzealous mother and a string of suitors, it's difficult to escape the subject. After an encounter with the handsome but mysterious Fitzwilliam Darcy, the independent-minded Elizabeth tries to push her feelings for him aside -- but this proves more difficult than expected.
The material deals with subjects in the title -- the pride of Mr. Darcy, played by Joseph Mackelprang, and the prejudice of Elizabeth Bennet, played by Chloe Haas -- while acknowledging the societal pressures of the time, the subtle snubs of classism and different forms of love.
Director Amy Brix said this show was requested by the group's senior class, who wanted the challenge of tackling a classic.
Brix said the beauty of Austen's work and the on-screen adaptations is in the depth of the characters.
"It has so many rich characters," the director said, "even the kids with smaller roles. Every one of Austen's characters has so much to be explored. It's a lot of fun for the kids."
The crew has worked to make those characters recognizable as soon as they hit the stage. Brix said it's been fun to see the Bennett sisters come to life in their portrayals and their mother, Mrs. Bennet, played by Rebekah Wesselman, who is trying to marry off each of them, to some success.
Audiences might also recognize similar dancing from the 2005 film, as Jennifer Winkelman based the choreography off of the movie's dance steps.
"I think our audiences will really enjoy that," Brix said.
She added there are different forms of love seen between the relationship between Jane Bennet, played by Emma Brix, and Charles Bingley, played by Max Pfaff, versus the relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy -- one is a simple, sweet love, while the other is fiery and fraught with complications.
In both, the characters are able to set aside preconceived ideas about each other to find something special.
She hopes audiences learn from the errors of the characters in "Pride and Prejudice" and how they right wrongs through forgiveness. Brix said there is also something to be learned from overcoming prejudice and misunderstanding -- as it brings happiness to all of the characters.
Tickets are $8 for opening night and $12 for later shows; they can be reserved at www.sgtmid mo.org/reservations.