 | The Franklin Civic Operetta Association opened its 30th season at the Barrow-Civic Theatre with a two-weekend run of the classic play “Pride and Prejudice” starting tonight. Based on the novel by Jane Austen, "Pride and Prejudice" tells the story of the Bennet daughters – Elizabeth in particular. Set in the early 1800s, it is a time when being married is considered a success in life for a young lady. The Bennet sisters are all of age to marry. When two of the three find eligible suitors, it is Elizabeth who still needs to settle down. This sets the stage for the duel between Elizabeth and her pride, and Mr. Darcy, whom she secretly adores, and his prejudice. Show director Hannah McCarthy says the play goes beyond the themes of the title as well as a love and marriage. “It’s also a reminder to be true to yourself no matter what others’ opinions are of you and to not judge a person too harshly before hearing their whole story,” she wrote in the show’s playbill. |
For McCarthy, the show has been a family experience. Her husband serves as the stage director; her brother stars as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy; her sister plays Miss Jane Bennet; and her niece is the assistant stage manager.
   | Other members of the cast include: Miss Elizabeth Bennet -Janie Cassady Mr. Charles Bingley - Nicholas Hess Miss Lydia Bennet - Emilie Weaver Mr. Bennet - Dan Twombly Mrs. Bennet - Aundrea Hill Mr. Collins - Jim Nash Miss Caroline Bingley - Abby Preston Miss Charlotte Lucas - Yelena Carvin Mr. George Wickham - Aaron Ritsig Lady Catherine de Bourgh - Vera Saeli Colonel Guy Fitzwilliam - Andrew Ritsig Mrs. Gardiner - Pam Watkins Lady Lucas - Elizabeth Williams Captain Denny - Josh Devlin Amelia/Ensemble - Ashlynne Cornmesser Amanda/Maggie/Ensemble - Kaitlynn Moore Agatha/Ensemble - Kachina Earhart Belinda/Ensemble - Joslyn Dechant Hill - Jake Gallows Mrs. Lake - Lisa Harry A Young Man - John Amy A Second Young Man - Josiah Amy “Like all journeys, this one would not have been possible without a million and one moving parts,” McCarthy wrote. Those helpers include producers Jenn Fox and Laura Ordaz. James Amero handles the lighting design and technical directions, with assistance from Brandon Huff on lights and Zach Dempsey on sound. Linda Thayer is the prop master. Elizabeth Amero runs the stage crew and Heather Jemmett is assisting with hair. |
Helping put together all the period piece customer were Bridget Kennedy, Nicholas Hess, Victoria Beals, Lisa Harry and Cheri Pearce. Ashlynne Cornmesser and Michael Palumbo oversaw the set.
Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 18, 24 and 25 and at 2 p.m. 19 and 26. Tickets are $16 to $22 and can be ordered online at barrowtheatre.org or at the box office prior to the start of any show.
Below are more photo from the first two acts of the play.
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