Pride and Prejudice
URI's final show of their season is the Rhode Island Premiere of
"Pride and Prejudice" a Jon Jory adaptation of Jane Austin's novel.
Written in 1813, the story depicts events, society and romance of that
era. The five Bennet sisters, through their individual personalities,
relationship to one another, their parents, societal acquaintances from
all classes and finally their love interests reveal the manners and
mores, the wit, pangs of the heart and the spunk of Austen's characters.
By law in 1813, the Bennet woman cannot inherit their father's estate
and so, the task of finding a suitable mate rests not only with them but
with their loving and ingenious parents. The misunderstandings of a most
intelligent and attractive Elizabeth Bennet and her nemesis, the equally
attractive, but mysterious Mr. Darcy, becomes an intriguing dance of
pride and prejudice in this multi-layered romantic show. Until both
Elizabeth and Darcy can truly see without blinders, can release their
short-sightedness about other people as well as about each other,
neither can be open to the grace of true love. In finally acknowledging
their limitations they capture the hearts of the audience as well as
each others. Director Bryna Wortman casts 16 talented students in 25
different roles in this show and their British accents are impeccable.
The finishing touches to create the 1813 era are the wonderful set
by Cheryl deWardener and the multitude of gorgeous costumes designed
and made from scratch by David T. Howard which brings the audience back
to early nineteenth century England in all its grandeur.
Playing the leads roles of Darcy and Elizabeth are Patrick D.
Cullen and Kristen T. Casey. Patrick is tall, dark and handsome as the
standoffish romantic lead. Once the audience understands his motives for
his actions that upset Elizabeth, his acting prowess convinces both
Elizabeth and them of his worthiness to become her husband. Patrick has
played a role in three of the URI shows this season and he shows his
diversity in each of them. Kristen is a beautiful, petite brunette who
plays this strong willed woman of the 1800's with spunk, giving her a
mind and voice of her own which was very unique for its time. The
sparring verbal scenes between Darcy and Elizabeth sparkle with wit and
cleverness, making the beauty of their romantic moments into very
satisfying conclusion.
Playing Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are Nick Foehr and Leah Kolb. His
character is staid and in control of his emotions while Mrs. Bennet's
character is larger than life. Leah has many funny lines and is a
whirlwind of energy in this role. Her infectious laughter and line
delivery liven up many a scene throughout the play. Crystal Guilbert who
played a old woman in "Buried Child", plays the youngest daughter, Lydia
in this show and has some of its funniest lines. She is a hoot as a girl
who is anxious to get married before her older sisters and enjoys life
to the fullest. Lydia eventually runs off to be with a shady army
officer. George Wickham, another tall, dark and handsome man, played by
Kyle Blanchette. Kyle does a wonderful job as this seemingly nice person
with some secrets in his past. He gets a chance to show off Wickham's
cad-like behavior before becoming a reformed married man. The eldest
sister, Jane is warmly played by pretty blond, Elyssa Baldassarri who
has the audience in the palm of her hand. Her eventual husband, Mr.
Bingley is played humorously by Joe Kidawski, another matinee idol
looking actor. His wooing of Jane to win her back is hilarious as he
reenters the scene several times to go out on several dates with her as
well as stumbling into the chairs when he gets ready to ask her father's
permission to marry her. Playing Bingley's devious sister is pretty
blond haired, Erin Condry. Her character plots against Elizabeth and
Darcy's involvement as well as persuading her brother to dump Jane for
another woman. Erin also plays the Bennet's sympathetic aunt. Benjamin
Gracia plays her deaf husband beautifully, garnering laughter while
doing so.
Playing the heir to the Bennet fortune, Parson Collins, is Ahmed
Bharoocha. His smarmy character wants to marry one of the daughters as
the heir but none of them are interested in him at all. Ahmed is very
comical in this role of social misfit. He eventually marries Elizabeth's
best friend, Charlotte played by Sara Sheets who also plays the bookworm
Bennet sister, Mary. Autumn Gillette is the next to the youngest sister,
Kitty who loves the boys as much as Lydia does. Other performers in the
show include Nile Hawver as Darcy's cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam and
Charlotte's father, Elise Petrarca who plays Darcy's mean spirited rich
dowager aunt as well as the sympathetic housekeeper and Tyler Fischer,
who did a dynamite job as Vince, the grandson in "Buried Child", plays
Wickham's fellow officer, a servant and a guest at the Ball. The dancing
at the Ball was choreographed by Carol Pegg and is a reflection of Darcy
and Elizabeth's dancing around their true feelings for each other. So
for a trip back to the seldom visited time period of the early 1800's,
catch "Pride and Prejudice" to see some topnotch acting by college
age performers.
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ( 19 to 28 April, 2007)
URI, Will Theatre, Fine Arts Center, Upper College Road,
Kingston,RI
1 (401) 874-5843 or
www.uri.edu/artsci
