Brogan: Players bring Austen to life!

Pride and Prejudice, the second novel written by Jane Austen, is also arguably her most popular work. Since its publication in 1813, Austen’s story has been adapted for the stage, screen, radio and television. It has also inspired scores of other stories, and even those who may not regularly read Austen’s works, know of Pride and Prejudice.

More than three hundred years since it first came on the scene, Pride and Prejudice remains a sparkling story filled with enduring characters. There is romance, comedic touches, family and the book’s heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, a woman way ahead of her time as well as Mr. Darcy, who more than meets his match in “Lizzy”.

Concord’s beloved Community Players are having a truly remarkable 96th Season. The public response to their sterling selections has led to thousands making a pilgrimage to the City Auditorium to enjoy the diverse offerings the group has presented.

This coming weekend, they will present a sparkling new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice from playwright Kate Hamill. Vicky Sandin directs this production, and she is aided by an outstanding cast and crew. The curtain goes up on Friday, Mayh 3rd at 7:30 PM. On Saturday, May 4, there is also a performance at 7:30 PM and the show concludes with a Sunday matinee performance on May 5th at 2:00 PM.

Tickets are now on sale online at communityplayersofconcord.org and the box-office opens 90 minutes prior to each performance. You can also call (603) 344-4747 for ticket information.

The cast is led by Julia Kehr (Lizzy) and Travis Laughlin (Darcy).

Seth Bunke plays Wickham, Steven Post is Mr. Collins and Elaine St. Jean appears as Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

The Bennet sisters, Jane, Lydia and Mary are portrayed by Alaina Oropollo, Tapley Trudell and Patrick McGranaghan (who also plays Mr. Bingley.) Valerie Kdonian Kehr and Dana Sackos are the long-suffering Mrs. and Mr. Bennett. Hannah Heckman-McKenna, Corinne Stanley, Suzanne Watts and Daphne Lessard complete the cast as Miss Bingley, Charlotte, servant, and Miss Anne de Bourgh.

Real life mother and daughter, Valerie Kdonian Kehr and Julia Kehr play on-stage mother and daughter, Mrs. Bennet and Lizzy.

I recently asked them about their experience working together in this new version of an old classic.

Julia, you are playing one of the most memorable characters ever created by Jane Austen, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennet. What pressure do you feel as you make her your own? And did you watch any of the previous movie or television productions of Pride and Prejudice to get inspiration?

I find the greatest pressure in portraying such a well-known character is striking the balance of keeping their core but finding something new and fresh about them. Lizzy Bennet is such a relatable character to so many people. I really want audiences to leave the show feeling like we’ve been true to the source material but also brought out something they haven’t necessarily seen before. While I did watch a few clips of this particular adaption before the rehearsal process started, I actively avoided seeking out other performances of Pride and Prejudice because I didn’t want too much influence from what others had done. I really wanted to find the way to becoming Lizzy on my own, through the process and with the help of my castmates and what they brought to their characters. I hope the audience agrees that I’ve done that by the end of the show.

Julia, is acting something that you would like to do with your life? Are there any preparations (mentally) that you do to become the character you portray in a production?

In the words of one of my favorite directors Kevin Gardner, “my life is all theater, except the other parts”. I love the outlet that acting provides by allowing you to process emotions in a new way, and by allowing you to step outside of yourself for a short period of time. I’d love to act indefinitely, but I also love the career I have outside of that. I’m open to going wherever it takes me! For my mental preparation to become a character, I really rely on the script. There’s so much information about a character’s emotions based just on word choice, and I often lean into that. For this production, I have also been incredibly lucky to talk through character choices and analyze scenes with my mother. I have always loved watching her so fully inhabit characters, and talking through my own choices has been invaluable for this show. I do still get nervous before every show even though I’ve been acting in some capacity since I was in kindergarten, so I also take some time before curtain to sit with the character after I’m in costume and go through lines again to stay connected with the story.

Julia, so many people think they know Pride and Prejudice from having read it or seen it in its various incarnations. In your opinion, what makes this production stand on its own?

This production really brings out the joy of this story, in every single character and every single moment. I don’t know that most people think of comedy when they hear Pride and Prejudice, but Vicky Sandin has really allowed us to wallow in the words of Kate Hamill’s adaptation in a way that is hilarious at its core. There hasn’t been one rehearsal where the cast hasn’t been in stitches about something. There are so many touching moments too, and there is heart there that doesn’t get lost. The whole cast breathes life into these characters in an unforgettable way. Every single character (no matter the size of the role) has been thought out and brought off the page. I can confidently say that our production has something for everyone, even if you didn’t enjoy reading Jane Austen novels in school. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.

Val, is this the first time you have worked, on-stage, with your daughter? What is it like working with her? Do your mother/daughter interactions bear any resemblance to your real-life interactions?

This is the second time I have worked onstage with Julia, but the first time I have had real scene-work with her.

Working with her is a joy – she is very talented, and she keeps me on my toes. When you have spent a lot of time gauging each other’s emotions, you can pivot and match energy in the moment, and that can bring a new facet of the character to life for you. Rehearsals have been fun and enlightening. It is always rewarding for a parent to see their child shine. And she does shine very brightly in this role.

Mrs. Bennet’s parenting style is not similar to mine, which provides a somewhat different feel onstage as opposed to our interactions in real life. Saying that, there are some familiar moments between the two of us that every parent will recognize, whether in modern day or the Regency era.

Val, what separates the Community Players from any other theatrical company you have worked with?

Primarily – it comes down to the people. Being part of the Players is like being part of a wonderful, eclectic, and endearing family. I feel very fortunate that they have taken me in and offered me the opportunity to bring characters to life for and with them. I have made wonderful friends and learned so much!

The Players have a lot in common with other companies I’ve worked with – a passion for theater, wonderful people who give their time and talents freely, and a belief that these are worthwhile endeavors. The Players also, however, have wonderful resources available to their actors and production teams (and they are generous with their resources to other performing companies as well). Having access to a rehearsal studio where the sets are built, the rooms of costumes, the props storehouse– it’s like having Aladdin’s cave of treasure at your fingertips, and I think that makes inhabiting the space of the characters so much easier. And performing at the Audi is always a special experience.

Val, what is your favorite part about portraying Mrs. Bennett?

Mrs. Bennet is a wonderfully freeing character to inhabit. She does love her girls (even Mary) and wants to see them all settled before Mr. Bennet drops dead and leaves them penniless old maids who need to beg for their bread on the streets. But she is also unapologetically her own person, no matter how embarrassing to her family, in every situation. She has no inhibitions (or boundaries). She does not care if she is too loud, or if she has one (or more) too many glasses of punch at a party. She also comes through in the clutch to support her husband and the family in a time of crisis.

Being part of this production has been one of the very best experiences in my acting career and in my life. The cast, crew, and production team are a dream come true. Please come see this very talented group of people bring the Bennets and their world to life for you. You will laugh, you will be moved, and I hope you will remember this as one of the best theater experiences you have ever had.