Act 1 DeSales University has staged a witty and satisfying "Pride and Prejudice" playing through Oct. 10 on the Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of DeSales University.
Jane Austens beloved love story gets a bit of an update in Jon Jorys playful adaption that strikes just the right balance of humor and drama in this attractive and engaging production.
Abby Rugers Elizabeth Bennet is a petite spitfire, whose biting wit reveals a strong-willed spirit.
In a time, when women had few options, she is uncompromising and self-assured.
Elizabeth is the second oldest of five sisters. Her father, affable and understated as played by Gregory J. Wintle, has an estate that can only be inherited by a male heir so there is pressure on the five women to "marry well" to support the family.
Hayley Bonnett is overpowering and humorously conniving as Mrs. Bennet who will do whatever it takes to marry her daughters off. Despite her sometimes questionable machinations, Bonnetts Mrs. Bennet is always funny and endearing.
When the family hears of Mr. Bingley, a new rich and single neighbor, Mrs. Bennet is determined to set up one of her girls with the bachelor.
At a party, the good-natured Mr. Bingley, played charmingly by Patrick Byrnes, seems smitten with the kind and sweet Jane, the Bennets eldest daughter. Courtney Elizabeth Bulger makes Jane thoroughly likable and sympathetic, and it is heart-breaking when she is hurt by Bingley and his entourages suddenly leaving with no explanation.
Bingleys good friend Mr. Darcy is played with considerable dour by Christian Tuffy. So miserable is he, it is no surprise that the clever Elizabeth makes fun of him, even though she seems to have caught his eye.
The other Bennet sisters are the bookish Mary, played with oblivious detachment by Anabelle Silkworth and youngest siblings Kitty and Lydia, frivolous and flighty as portrayed by Emily Tazza and Emma Fliszar.
Mr. Collins is Mr. Bennet's cousin and the heir to the estate. Matthew Johnstons Mr. Collins is laughably foppish and cluelessly self-important. When he decides he will marry one of the Bennet girls and settles on Elizabeth, he is soundly refused.
Also vying for Elizabeths attention is Johnny Drumgooles shallowly charming but deceitful Wickham.
One of the main delights of "Pride and Prejudice" is watching the slow burn of the gradually growing attraction between Darcy and Elizabeth.
Rugers Elizabeth is harshly judgmental and slow for her opinion of Mr. Darcy to change and shift into romance. She grows in humility as she realizes she misjudged people.
Meanwhile Tuffys Darcy becomes more appealing as he opens up and is more earnest.
Jessica Bedford the directs the play in a clever, well-timed fashion. She also choreographs and one of the most effective qualities of the production is the period dancing the company does at the party.
Will Neuerts set is lovely with its delicate cut work frame and majestic doors, and Amy Bests costumes perfectly evoke the Regency period.
Performances are 8 p.m. Oct. 6-9 and 2 p.m. Oct. 10.
Tickets are $23 for adults and $21 for students and seniors on Wednesdays and Thursdays and $27 for adults and $25 for students and seniors on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
There also will be a 24-hour streamed pre-recorded performance Oct. 9. Tickets for the stream are $12 per viewer and can be purchased through the Broadway on Demand website at https://www.broadwayondemand.com/series/dPTL58zLR3p5-pride-and-prejudice--act-1-desales-university'channel=watch-now.
The Oct. 9 performance will feature open captioning for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing and audio descriptions for patrons who are blind or visually impaired. Tickets are half price for patrons using these services. Call 610-282-3654, ext. 1 for more information.
Masks are required for audience members. Actors will not be masked during this production.
For information, go to www.tickets.desales.edu or call 610-282-3192.