Pride and Prejudice
Play Description
Jane Austen's mastery of manners and morals is on full display in Christopher Baker's acclaimed stage adaptation of her beloved masterpiece, Pride and Prejudice. In the Bennet sisters' world, marriage is the prize, but for second-eldest, Lizzy, companionship trumps blind courtship. Enter Mr. Darcy, and one of literature's most iconic and tempestuous romances takes flight. Journey through a world quite unlike — and yet perhaps not so different from — our own, as Lizzy and Darcy learn that first impressions aren't all they seem, and that second chances can lead to answers that have been there the entire time.
Production Info
Cast: 18 total (10 female, 8 male, 18 speaking roles or with doubling 14 actors)Full Length Drama (about 120 minutes)
Minimal Set Requirements
Period Costumes
- Reviews
- About the Author(s)
- About the Book
- Special Notes
- Productions
Press Quotes
“Stunning … Hilarious.” —Gina Jun, DC Metro Theater Arts
“While respectful of Austen, [Baker] does not aim for mere imitation or by-the-numbers re-creation; the dialogue sounds authentic and natural. This is, above all, an entertaining work of theater … Most impressive, perhaps, is how Baker does all of this without making it feel forced. Even though we know right from the get-go that ever-so-independent-minded Elizabeth Bennet and haughty Mr. Darcy will eventually overcome their initial dislike for each other, their journey remains intriguing, each bump in the road delivering sufficient jolt, with the final destination delivering a true emotional payoff. Note, too, the abundant humor. This PRIDE AND PREJUDICE gets a good deal of amusing mileage from Austen’s deft targeting of stuffiness, hypocrisy and social machinations — traits all too prevalent in our day, too, as you might have noticed.” —Tim Smith, Baltimore Sun
“The story has been seamlessly tightened without losing the essence that has enchanted generations of Austenites through multiple interpretations.” —Tina Saratsiotis, Broadway World
“Jane Austen fans may demurely balk at the liberties taken in Christopher Baker’s adaptation (where the hell is Kitty, some might quibble), but … the adaptation [has] a pleasing cinematic quality, where both the dialogue and the action move swiftly along … Baker’s subtle shift from Elizabeth and Darcy’s love match to Mrs. Bennet’s public quest for security for her daughters is an intriguing one. Austen fans, do not despair — the wicked banter and undeniable chemistry between Elizabeth and Darcy is still very much front and center … Austen’s pointed and feathery commentary on society’s social climbers, schemers, hypocrites and stuffed shirts is there as well. However, there is a sharp emphasis on marriage as commerce.” —Jayne Blanchard, DC Theater Scene
Author(s)
Jane AustenJane Austen was born on 16 December 1775 in north-east Hampshire, England, to the Reverend George Austen and his wife, Cassandra. She had a sister and six brothers. In 1783, along with her sister, she was sent to boarding school. While at school both sisters nearly died of fever, possibly from typhus. Jane left school in 1786. Even as a child she loved writing and wrote a number of short stories. About 1795 she wrote her first novel, Elinor and Marianne. In the years 1796–97 she wrote another novel, First Impressions, later published as Pride and Prejudice. Then in 1798–99 she wrote a novel named Susan. It was published posthumously as Northanger Abbey in 1817. In 1801 Jane moved with her sister and parents to Bath. A tall, slim woman, in 1802 she received a proposal of marriage from a man named Harris Bigg-Wither. At first Jane accepted but changed her mind and never married. In 1807 Jane moved to Southampton. She lived there until 1809. At that time Southampton was a flourishing port town with a population of over 8,000. In 1809 she moved to the little village of Chawton in north Hampshire. In 1811 Sense and Sensibility was published. Pride and Prejudice was published in 1813, Mansfield Park in 1814. Emma followed in 1816. She also wrote Persuasion, but she died before it could be published. It was published posthumously in 1817. Jane died on 18 July 1817 at only 41 years old and was buried in Winchester Cathedral.
Christopher BakerChristopher Baker is a playwright, dramaturg, producer, director and teacher. His play CALLIOPE JAM premiered at the Alley Theatre in Houston and his LINCOLN: AN AMERICAN VAUDEVILLE was workshopped at Center Stage in Baltimore. As a dramaturg, Baker has worked on productions Off-Broadway and at theatres across the country, including the Alley Theater, American Repertory Theater, Hartford Stage, PlayMakers Repertory Company and the Shakespeare Theatre. For fourteen years he was a member of the artistic staff at Hartford Stage, serving in various capacities, including Associate Artistic Director, Associate Producer and Senior Dramaturg. He is the author of Shakespeare in an Hour and Molière in an Hour and is a contributor to The Production Notebooks, African American Connecticut Explored and The Lively ART. Baker teaches at the University of Massachusetts and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of America.
Book Information
| Publisher | BPPI |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 7/26/2017 |
| Pages | 102 |
| ISBN | 9780881457254 |
Special Notes
If original stage producers credits appear in bold below, all licensees are required to include them in the following form on the title page in all programs distributed in connection with performances of the Play and in all advertising in which the full cast appears in size of type not less than ten percent (10%) of the size of the title of the Play:
Originally commissioned by Hartford Stage
Michael Wilson, Artistic Director; Michael Stotts, Managing Director
World Premiere by Center Stage, Baltimore, Maryland
Kwame Kwei-Armah, Artistic Director; Stephen Richard, Managing Director
In addition, the following must appear within all programs distributed in connection with performances of the Play:
by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc, NYC
www.broadwayplaypublishing.com
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