Jane Austen's "Emma" now through May 25 at Stage 773

Dead Writers Theatre Collective presents Jim Schneider’s staging of the Chicago premiere of Michael Bloom’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma,” at on The Pro mainstage theater at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. now through May 25.

The Chicago Sun-Times hails Heather Chrisler who plays Emma as "a petite version of Paltrow," and says Ben Muller who plays Knightly is "ideally cast." Stage and Cinema says, "The casting is character-close and the look is lovely...The canvas for this elaborate mating dance could hardly prove more sumptuous." And AroundtheTown says " This slick production by a new company shows that the love of a story and script put into the right hands can bring a novel to the stage making it appeal to both male and female audience members."

Austen’s Emma is a precocious, accomplished and spoiled young woman. Convinced she will never marry, she fancies herself to be naturally gifted in matchmaking and makes it her mission to find a suitor for Harriet Smith, her amiable friend of a lower social standing.  As Emma becomes involved in the romantic lives of those around her, suspicion, intrigue and misunderstandings ensue before Emma herself finds love.

Tickets are $40 ($25 for students and seniors). For tickets, call the Stage 773 box office at 773-327.5252 or visit deadwriters.net.