Theater Review: "Austen's Pride" at Waterbury's Palace Theater

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Patch Contributor Nancy Sasso Janis

The tour of “Austen’s Pride” has arrived at Waterbury’s Palace Theater for a pre-Broadway run. The subtitle of the show is “A New Musical of Pride and Prejudice” and it has a book, music and lyrics by Lindsay Warren Baker and Amanda Jacobs. The tour features Olivia Hernandez in the important role of Jane Austen.

“Austen’s Pride” has a Connecticut connection in that it was produced in March of 2019 by A.C.T. of Connecticut before moving on to other venues. It cleverly inserts the beloved author into the action, the storyteller interacting with her characters as she writes her next novel. Those who are familiar with “Pride and Prejudice” will be able to appreciate this plot device more easily. The performance is both witty and romantic, and inventive in its storytelling. Jane Austen fans will be entertained by all of it.

Hernandez, who appeared on Broadway in “Days of Wine and Roses,” performed in “Austen’s Pride” at Carnegie Hall. The University of Michigan grad fully embodies the author and sings beautifully. Dianica Phelan, who closed out the recent “Into the Woods” revival on Broadway, takes on the role of Cassandra Austen.

Delphi Borich (“Into the Woods” on Broadway”) takes on the important role of Elizabeth Bennet. The Syracuse graduate, who appeared in this show at The 5th Avenue Theatre in New York, is lovely as the headstrong Liz.

Dan Hoy is strong in the role of the staid Fitzwilliam Darcy. Hoy appeared on Broadway in the original cast of “Pirates! The Penzance Musical” and in “Harmony.” Sally Wilfert, who was part of "Assassins" on Broadway, takes on two wonderful supporting roles: Mrs. Bennet and Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Michael Burrell, who was part of “Sunset Boulevard” at A.C.T. of CT, portrays the handsome and evil George Wickham and Tom Lefroy. Addie Morales, who appeared in “Austen’s Pride” at Stages St. Louis, plays Jane Bennet.

Kevyn Morrow (“Our Town,” “Moulin Rouge!” on Broadway) is a delight in the role of the father of the five sisters, Mr. Bennet. “I live among six women.” Cole Thompson (“Into the Woods”) plays Charles Bingley.

Paul Castree (“Water for Elephants” on Broadway) portrays Mr. Collins and Mr. Gardiner. Sarah Ellis, who was part of the first national tour of “A Gentleman’s Guide…,” plays Caroline Bingley, Mary Bennet and Mrs. Garndiner. Kate Fahey makes her national tour debut in the role of Lydia Bennet and Cali Noack makes her professional debut in the roles of “Kitty” Bennet and Georgiana Darcy.

Travis Anderson, Matt Gibson, Keith Johnson, Drew Tanabe portray the Redcoats, moving furniture in strict formation and charming the ladies. Graham Keen, who has worked at Goodspeed, is the Dance Captain. Drew Neal works as the production stage manager.

Igor Goldin directs the cast. He has the performers use the entire stage, creating some lovely stage pictures. There is also plenty of movement in many of the scenes, keeping the interest of the audience. Goldin also directed this work at Carnegie Hall, Seattle 5th Avenue and A.C.T., as well as “Passing Through” at Goodspeed.

Music director Kerianne Brennan conducts the nine pit musicians and makes the score sound lovely. Amanda Jacobs is responsible for the orchestrations. Choreography by Lisa Shriver is correct for the period and enjoyable to watch.

The scenic design by Josh Zangen suggests the scenes with sparse set pieces, although there are some projections to indicate the outdoors. The black drops at the back of the stage part on cue at select times. Kudos to Jason Lyons on some wonderfully magical touches. Costumes designed by Emily Rebholz (“Jagged Little Pill”) are beautifully presented in pastel colors for the ladies and uniforms of the era for the Redcoats. Wigs and hair design by Tommy Kurzman (“Mrs. Doubthfire”) enhance the looks.

Jacobs notes that she is most recognized for her 25-year journey with this work, beginning in 2011 at NYMF, when it won a Stage Entertainment Award for Most Promising Musical. Baker, based in Rochester, NY, has directed “Beautiful” and “Something Rotten.”

The performance includes one 15 minute intermission and runs almost two and half hours. The remaining performances in Waterbury are Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Rush tickets for the two performances are available at the box office window.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She was a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.