AN AMUSING ROMANTIC ROMP ALL ‘SPRUCED’ UP
With Christmas just around the corner, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley offers up a light-hearted, romantic comedy Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley through Dec. 29 at Lucie Stern Theater in Palo Alto.
Mary (Elissa Beth Stebbins) and Arthur (David Toshiro Crane)
Written by two local playwrights, Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, Miss Bennett, a sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice set two years after the novel ends, is a charming, light-hearted way to get into the holiday spirit. Though the entire storyline is almost obvious after the first few minutes, the gorgeous set by Andrea Bechert and solid acting by every one of the eight-member cast make it an enjoyable evening of theater – especially anyone with a smattering of knowledge of Jane Austen’s books.
Lydia (Sophie Oda), Arthur (David Toshiro Crane) and Mary (Elissa Beth Stebbins)
Mr. Darcy (Adam Griffith) and Lizzy (Kausar Mohammed)
Here, four of the five Bennet sisters come together to enjoy the holidays at the home of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, played with charm and self-confidence by Kausar Mohammed as Lizzy and tall, handsome Adam Griffith as her husband. Without telling anyone, Elizabeth ordered an extraordinarily big spruce tree (think: three stories) and had it set up in their spacious living room. It immediately becomes the centerpiece of Bechert’s set, with several characters walking into the room and physically grimacing at the behemoth tree.
Jane (Amanda Pulcini) and her husband Mr. Bingley (William Thomas Hodgson)
Elizabeth’s obviously pregnant sister, Jane Bingley (a charming Amanda Pulcini) and her doting husband, Charles (William Thomas Hodgson) are the first couple to arrive. Both are brimming with excitement about the impending arrival of a baby, the first grandchild in the Bennet family.
The Bennet sisters and their husbands are intrigued
by the arrival of a Lord (David Toshiro Crane - center)
The heart-and-soul of this production is Elissa Beth Stebbins as Mary Bennet. As the only unmarried sister, Elizabeth and Jane would like nothing more than to help Mary find a life beyond her love of reading and studying books as well as playing the gorgeous period piano that sits on the second tier of the three-tiered set. (The music Mary “plays” was actually prerecorded by TheatreWorks’ resident musical director William Liberatore.)
Mr. Darcy (Adam Griffith), Arthur (David Toshiro Crane), Mr. Bingley (William Thomas Hodgson)
Into this mélange arrives sister Lydia (a somewhat over-the-top performance by Sophie Oda). Lydia is married, but laments that her dear husband is so busy working – it’s apparent that he’s almost always working – he couldn’t accompany her to the family gathering. Yet Lydia doesn’t hesitate to bat her baby blues at any male nearby. Over the course of the day, it becomes apparent that Lydia and her unseen husband are having marital difficulties: Lydia gets weepy easily and sometimes strikes out at the loved ones who only want to help her.
Mr. Bingley (William Thomas Hodgson), Mr. Darcy (Adam Griffith),
Arthur (David Toshiro Crane) and Lydia (Sophie Oda)
Enter Arthur de Bourgh (an appealing David Toshiro Crane), a neighbor who has recently become a landowner and isn’t quite sure he wants to be. But when he meets Mary, he sees a kindred soul who shares his love of reading books, discussing them and enjoying a quiet, contemplative life rather than one full of parties and balls.
Arthur (David Toshiro Crane) is overwhelmed by Lydia's (Sophie Oda) mistletoe advances
Just when their respectful, quiet courtship begins, the play produces the final cast member: Anne de Bourgh (Maggie Mason), whose mother has just passed away and left her with a gigantic house and a considerable dowry. Though they are cousins, Anne shows up to tell Arthur that her dear, departed mama told her that she and Arthur have been “booked” to be betrothed since they were children.
Sisters Lizzy (Kausar Mohammed), Lydia (Sophie Oda), and Jane (Amanda Pulcini)
listen as Mary (Elissa Beth Stebbins) confides her feelings
Mason plays Anne with just the right amount of insolence and verve. She never doubts what her mother has told her – so she troops in to announce that Arthur will marry her. Although this is staggering news to Mary, who had finally felt she found someone who understood and cared for her, she nevertheless says that if Arthur confirms what Anne says is true, then the matter is settled.
back: Anne (Maggie Mason) and Lydia (Sophie Oda)
front: Lizzy (Kausar Mohammed), Arthur (David Toshiro Crane), and Jane (Amanda Pulcini)
Thoroughly perplexed in the ways of women, Arthur blurts out: “Can one be engaged and not know it?” Though hurting, Mary herself only wants best for the man she has so recently befriended. She’s willing to put aside her own needs for the person she cares for.
Sisters Lizzy (Kausar Mohammed), Lydia (Sophie Oda),
Mary (Elissa Beth Stebbins), and Jane (Amanda Pulcini)
How this all ends is for theatergoers to find out by attending this highly entertaining production. Director Jeffrey Lo has found ways for each character to have his or her moment in the sun, keeping several plates spinning all the while.
Arthur (David Toshiro Crane) surprises Lydia (Sophie Oda)
with his attempts to woo Mary (Elissa Beth Stebbins)
Cathleen Edwards’ Regency Era costumes are absolutely appropriate for each individual cast member, and wig designer Roxie Johnson creates the right look for everyone as well. Lucie Stern Theater’s recently renovated interior includes better lighting, thanks to Spense Matubang, while James Ard’s sound is hit-and-miss in the aging theater depending on where a viewer is sitting.
Anne (Maggie Mason), Arthur (David Toshiro Crane), Lizzy (Kausar Mohammed),
Mr. Darcy (Adam Griffith), and Mary (Elissa Beth Stebbins)
Kudos to dialect coach Kimberly Mohne Hill for helping the cast speak aristocratic British, but not so British as to make themselves difficult to understand. At a scant two hours and 15 minutes, the evening flies by quickly. It’s a much-needed snowflake of happiness for all who believe in the wonders of true love.
Lydia (Sophie Oda), Jane (Amanda Pulcini), and Mr. Bingley (William Thomas Hodgson)
photos by Kevin Berne
Anne (Maggie Mason) reminds Arthur (David Toshiro Crane) of their families' plans
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
TheatreWorks
Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto
Tues & Wed at 7:30; Thurs-Sat at 8; Sun at 7; Sat & Sun at 2; Thurs at 2 (Dec. 26 only)
ends on December 29, 2024
for tickets, call 650.463.1960 or visit TheatreWorks
Joanne Engelhardt is a former San Jose Mercury and Santa Cruz Sentinel writer and theatre critic and is a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle. Contact: [email protected]
