Displaying items by tag: Jane Austen

Finding love has always been a challenge. In Jane Austen’s day, a time governed by strict rules of courtship, couples had to avoid mistakes that could potentially ruin a reputation. One might think that the complexities of dating would have eased over time, yet modern romance remains just as fraught with pitfalls. Exploring these timeless rules of attraction is Oil Lamp Theater’s production of I Love You Because, with music by Joshua Salzman and book and lyrics by Ryan Cunningham. Directed by Scott Shallenbarger, this musical, inspired by Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, examines two mismatched couples and asks a fundamental question: Do we love someone despite their differences, or because of them?

Meet our musical’s core couple. Austin Bennet (Aiden McCoy) is a straight-laced, slightly vanilla greeting card writer who fancies himself a "poet" yet struggles to craft anything with authentic depth. Marcy Fitzwilliams (Hanna Kipp) is a carefree photographer who balks at rules and lives in the moment. Having both recently gotten out of long-term relationships, Austin and Marcy decide to follow their friends’ advice and get back out there. This time, though, they’re not looking for “the one,” just someone.

Their first date couldn’t go worse. Austin is still hung up on his unfaithful ex, and Marcy makes little effort to hide her disinterest. Gradually, however, a friendship develops. When they least expect it, sparks fly, prompting both to reexamine what they were looking for in a mate.

Central to any compelling romance is chemistry. Perhaps it was opening weekend jitters, but the on-stage tension between McCoy and Kipp left something to be desired. While their initial awkwardness felt appropriate as the characters grew more familiar, the spark never really intensified. That missing connection made it difficult to fully invest in the material, because their relationship never felt entirely natural.

Part of the issue may stem from character interpretation. Although the script frames Austin as conventional and Marcy as unconventional, neither performer fully embraced those extremes. For example, Austin is written as a Type‑A personality who brings his own black coffee from home to a local café - a funny character trait meant to establish a tightly wound demeanor - but the joke didn’t quite land. If both actors pushed further into their contrasting traits, the show’s humor, which relies on highlighting their polar opposites, might be more effective.

Conversely, the "opposites attract" dynamic succeeded with the supporting couple. Kristin Brintnall plays Diana, an actuary who relies on her rigid mathematical system for love calculations. Maxwell J. DeTogne plays Jeff Bennet, a boyish man-child whose views on relationships are as jumbled as his vocabulary, leading to malapropisms like "duck in a line" or "barking up the wrong treehouse." What begins as a casual fling eventually forces them into the dreaded "Define the Relationship" conversation.

Brintnall and DeTogne play off each other wonderfully by fully embracing their characters' differences. Her rigid precision complements his easygoing demeanor, creating genuine stage friction and strong comedic timing. Their energetic performances helped elevate a relatively straightforward plot.

Unlike Austen’s rich source material, this musical offered few complications for its core couple. Other modern adaptations of classic texts, like 10 Things I Hate About You, which adapted Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, successfully updated stories while preserving their complexity. But once Austin and Marcy recognize their feelings, there really aren’t any obstacles in their way.

The strength of I Love You Because comes from its performers. Their vocal ability shined in each song, and when the ensemble came together for group numbers, they blended beautifully. As the cast settles into their roles, the chemistry between the leads should deepen and help the audience connect to the central love plot. In any case, the message of I Love You Because was effectively communicated. True love isn’t loving someone in spite of their quirks, but because of them.

I Love You Because runs through September 13 at Oil Lamp Theatre in Glenview, IL.

Advisory: Oil Lamp Theater advises that the production contains mature content, including explicit language and sexual situations.

https://www.oillamptheater.org/

“Is this what it’s like to have sisters?”

I know I personally fall into the category of Jane Austen fans who have been following adaptations and spinoffs of Pride and Prejudice for eons. What happened to the Bennett sisters after the famous events of the classic tale? Did Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy find happiness? How are Jane and Mr. Bingley finding their marriage, and did the younger sisters ever discover their own paths to true love? Playwright Lauren Gunderson provides her own take through her trilogy Christmas at Pemberly plays, and in collaboration with Margot Melcon, the third installment offers a window into how the lives of Kitty and Georgiana progress post the original story.

In Act 1, As Georgiana sinks into the couch and takes in the Bennetts with the quote above, you might find yourself smiling alongside her. If you’re like me, you may think back to Pride and Prejudice and remember how alone she once was. Now she too finds herself with the unconditional love of sisters, and for better or for worse, she is going to discover what it’s like when they meddle without a second thought.

Directed by Connie Canaday Howard, Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley takes place two years after Pride and Prejudice. We find ourselves at the Darcy residence on Christmas Eve as Georgiana Darcy (Olivia Finkelstein) prepares to welcome her suitor, Henry Gray (Peter Alfano), to the home. The catch? She isn’t alone. Not only are Mr. Darcy (Keenan Odenkirk) and Elizabeth (Paige Klopfenstein) home for the holidays, but so are each of the Bennett sisters – Lydia (Leela Watts), Jane (Charlotte Foster), Mary (Elexis Selmon), and of course, her best friend, Kitty (Ksa Curry). To top it off, Henry’s friend, Thomas O’Brien (Daniel Millhouse) is joining the festivities, and he is just as ready as the Bennetts to meddle in the couple’s affairs. As might be expected, nothing quite goes according to plan, and as much as Kitty tries to support her friend, Georgiana might just find that nothing is ever simple on the path to love.

Howard’s production is full of joy and charm. Costume Designer Aly Greaves Amidei immediately transports the audience back into 1815 through her designs. The Bennett sisters’ dresses are stunning and add bright color to the Darcy home that is fully decked out for Christmas. Scenic Designers Jacqueline and Richard Penrod, in collaboration with Original Music and Sound Designer Christopher Kriz, fully immerse the audience into the holiday story for the eyes and ears.

As to be expected with a Jane Austen adaptation, the play certainly has its plot points involving true love. Not only does Georgiana find her soul mate in Henry, but Kitty also finds her own happiness with Thomas.  Finkelstein and Alfano bring a sweet, shy energy to the courtship – creating a relationship that you are sure to find yourself rooting for and hoping will succeed. Kitty and Thomas have a different approach, but one that is just as fun to watch unfold. The couple find their way to each other through the choice to meddle on behalf of their friends, and Curry and Millhouse infuse the relationship with high-energy and a mischievous humor. If you are a Jane Austen fan who loves watching the classic relationships grow despite their obstacles, you will find that the play certainly offers that access point.

However, something that you might also find to be special about this story is that it does not solely focus on the couples. The central relationship is actually the friendship between Georgiana and Kitty – two characters who have very little development in the original Austen story.  Curry and Finkelstein bring these characters to life with such creativity and delight. Much of the story explores these two younger sisters finding their voices amongst the noise of their elder siblings, and seeing Georgiana and Kitty support each other over the course of that journey adds to the holiday spirit.

Full of charm and holiday delight, Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley is a joy from start to finish. If you are a long-time Jane Austen fan, this play certainly scratches the itch of those wanting to see the Bennett stories continue. If this is your first taste of the Austen world, there are still plenty of access points to make this a holiday story to remember.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Run Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes, with intermission

Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley runs through December 21, 2025 at the McAninch Arts Center – 425 Fawell Blvd. For tickets and information, see the Buffalo Theatre Ensemble website.