My recent favorite #tctheater holiday* tradition is the
Christmas at Pemberley plays, a series of three plays by Lauren Gunderson (one of the most produced playwrights in the country, often writing plays about women in history, particularly in STEM) and Margot Melcon. The Jungle Theater produced all three of these plays beginning in 2017, and even co-commissioned two of them. Lyric Arts has picked up the tradition the last few years, culminating in the third play this season. Each of these plays focuses on a different Bennet sister or two, but they're all similar in their sparkling dialogue that feels both period appropriate and refreshingly modern, their centering of women in the story (continuing the legacy of Jane Austen), their fleshing out of characters who didn't get much space in the original novel, and their charming romances complete with obstacles to be overcome, just like all good Austen heroines. With
Georgiana and Kitty we get not one but two new Austen heroines to love and root for in their pursuit of love, art, purpose, and happiness.** Lyric's production is an absolute delight, and I hope that they continue to cycle through these three plays for years to come! But for now, you can
visit Pemberley Thursdays through Sundays until December 22.
If you haven't seen the first two Pemberley plays - no worries, each is a separate story unto itself. They all occur over the same Christmas holiday at the home of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy two years after the events of Pride and Prejudice. This play is the final one chronologically, and the first to include all five Bennet sisters. Plus the honorary sixth Bennet sister - Mr. Darcy's sister Georgiana, whom all of the sisters have embraced as one of their own, but particularly the heretofore unseen Kitty. Georgiana and Kitty are the closest of friends, and excited to welcome a certain gentleman with whom Georgiana has been corresponding. The problem is she hasn't told her overprotective brother that she invited Mr. Henry Grey to Pemberley, along with his friend Thomas O'Brien. With the help of Lizzy, Mr. Darcy begrudgingly comes around, but is less than welcoming towards Mr. Grey, remembering a certain Mr. Wickham who once tried to take advantage of Georgiana to get his hands on the family fortune. This, along with Georgiana and Henry's adorably charming awkwardness at finally being in the same room with each other, plus a secret about Henry's family concealed in a letter ("there's always a letter"), makes the course of this true love run rather bumpily. Then, as many TV shows do, this play employs a sizable time jump over intermission. It's suddenly six years later, and we have more catching up to do on all of the sisters as they prepare for the debut of a new society of women musicians created by Kitty and accomplished pianist Georgiana. Is there room for romance in all this busyness? Of course there is, it's Christmas at Pemberley!**
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| the Bennet sisters plus one (photo by Molly Weibel) |
Georgiana and Kitty includes some of the same characters as the previous two plays, and a couple of new ones. Similarly, the cast features a couple of familiar faces from Lyric's past
Pemberley plays, plus some new to the world. Our one constant over all three plays is Ben Qualley as Mr. Darcy, his third year and third play in this role. He has Darcy's trademark gruffness mixed with warm-heartedness down pat. Faith Winship is the new Mrs. Darcy, and is a lovely and strong Lizzie, supporting her sisters and standing up to her husband when necessary to set him on the right path. Also reprising her role is Grace Klapak as Lydia, who last year found a bit of independence and self-awareness, a trend that continues this year, although not without the charmingly annoying traits that Grace portrays so well. In smaller but no less important sisterly roles we have Nadia Franzen (who played the new servant Cassie in
The Wickhams last year) as eldest and ever-pregnant sister Jane and Lindsey Esch as the newly engaged but still blunt and bookish Mary. William Edson is a most charming Henry Gray, and Noah Hynick (who played Jane's husband Mr. Bingley in
Miss Bennet two years ago) steals scenes as Thomas O'Brien, who takes a shine to Kitty. Which brings me to the stars of this show, and its most important relationship. Morgan Kepton is so wonderful as Georgiana, transforming from the quiet and compliant girl to the confident young woman not afraid to use her voice. As her BFF Kitty, Waverly Ann McCollum is the queen of facial expressions and physical comedy, leaping over benches and moving around the space with an awkward grace. The two portray a believable friendship at the center of the story, and really the whole cast feels like a family, particularly the sisters.
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Georgiana (Morgan Kempton) finds her voice
(photo by Molly Weibel) |
Marci Lucht returns to direct this play, after directing
The Wickhams last year, and once again infuses it with playfulness, heart, and humor. One of my favorite things about this production is how they accomplish the necessary set change at intermission (which the other two plays don't have). Since the set has to move, they make good use of that fluidity by moving around the four large columns and various period furniture between scenes in the first act, creating different spaces in the Pemberley estate for conversations to take place. This is done smoothly and gracefully, as is the big transformation between acts, which is not done during intermission, but rather at the top of the second act. Fully in character, the cast doesn't just move the set pieces, but almost dances with them. It almost feels like a dream ballet, in which the events of the first act are expressed in movement and dance. It's really quite cleverly and elegantly done, and since there is no choreographer or movement director listed, I will credit this to the director as well.
The look of the piece is just charming, with the aforementioned fluid and elegant set. It's more simple that the Pemberley set in
Miss Bennet, but still conveys the grandness of the estate (and is once again designed by Greg Vanselow). The period costumes include gorgeous empire-waist dresses with matching hats, gloves, and capes for the women, elegant suits with tall boots for the men (costume design by Jessica Moore, also returning from last year). And it's fun to see that most, if not all, of the actors seem to be in their real hair, with perhaps a few more curls and swirls than they'd wear on a normal day.
I really can't recommend the
Pemberley plays enough, any of them anywhere, and this one at Lyric Arts in particular. If you like
Bridgerton, particularly the Eloise/Penelope friendship, you'll love these plays.
Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley,
continues through December 22.
