Happy Moment #8: Miss Bennett (A Play!)
Last night Jim and I went to a play at the Repertory Theatre of St Louis -- "Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley." Here is just one word to describe this production -- amazing! (and it runs for just a couple of days more -- until December 24).
Sure, I am an easy fan here simply because the play has something to do with Jane Austen and my very favorite novel (yep, I am a bit of a cliche in terms of being a former English major!). Pride and Prejudice was a book I encountered in high school but hated initially -- I thought the world that Austen created was superficial and petty. It wasn't until Les (my professor, mentor, and eventual good friend) walked me through his own take on Austen when I was a first year college student that I saw the complexity and the general awesome-ness of her work. In fact, for years after that I started re-reading anything Austen (and Bronte actually) over and over again. But since Les died in 2010, I haven't done this at all. Just the thought of picking up any piece of literature that he introduced me to has made me feel sick in my stomach. After awhile, I just stopped trying. In fact, a few weeks ago when Jim and I went to see the new Dickens bio film (The Man Who Invented Christmas), I hadn't consciously realized how much I had distanced myself from literature that made me sad because Les isn't here. I am not saying that it doesn't hurt a little but I also don't think that Les would have wanted me stop reading the stuff that makes me so happy.
But back to the play! This production was so well done in terms of the casting, the script, and the set itself. According to the Rep web site, here is the basic premise of this Pride and Prejudice sequel: "In this winning and witty sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the bookish middle child of the Bennet family finally has her day. Constantly overshadowed by her four sisters, Mary Bennet finds hope for a new life beyond her family from an unexpected holiday romance. Austen fans and first-timers alike will find much to love in this alluring comedic tale." So if you like the stories which are re-takes on famous "bad" or "evil" characters (aka, Wicked) then this is a story for you. Mary, the middle Bennet sister, gets little sympathy in the novel (or any of the film renditions). I hadn't even realized myself how dismissive I was of this particular character. A quick Google search shows that this play is being done on a national level, not just St Louis.
I loved the the Rep had some fun elements as soon as you walked in the door! Look! I got to "wear" Elizabeth's dress!
Jim and I enjoyed a massive cookie before we sat in our seats along with some hot tea (naturally!). I am also super lucky to have a partner who is interested in seeing plays even though I wouldn't necessarily call him an Austen fan!
Our seats were amazing -- pretty close to the front! According to an usher who snapped at me to not take pictures of the set, I managed to get a few in before she approached me (and when did that rule happen at the Rep?!). As is the case with many of the productions I have seen at the rep, the set itself was amazing -- just as I imagine Pemberley might look at Christmas!
After the intermission, the tree in the first half was replaced by an beautifully decorated Christmas tree but I didn't think it worth the wrath of the usher to try and get a snap! I don't want to say too much about the story itself (no spoilers!) but the dialogue is clever and I loved that the cast was actually pretty multi-racial. Each actor seemed perfect for their part and I was impressed by the entire production!
Maybe the moral of last night is that I need to break out an Austen novel and just embrace all the feelings that might come by revisiting a story that I think of as a "place" that echoes Les to me. PS: Here is my favorite picture of me and Les ever!
