By Nina Giannangeli

November 3, 2009

Jane Austen fans have been lucky these past few years. The vogue surrounding the Regency author surfaces in Elmhurst with the GreenMan Theatre Troupe’s production of Christina Calvit’s adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice.”

Director David Soria noted that “Pride and Prejudice” was chosen by the company in order to bring diversity to the set of plays produced at GreenMan.

“Yeah, we’re a community theatre, but we didn’t want to give a steady diet of community theatre plays,” said Soria.

Pride and Prejudice is the story of a providential heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, in Regency England. As all Austen fans know, it is Elizabeth’s conflicts with the moody Mr. Darcy that makes for an intelligent and fulfilling love story.

The GreenMan Theatre Troupe’s presentation of this story will ultimately satisfy these fans. The play begins with a dance and narration by the actors. The audience is immediately drawn into Austen’s world of manners and social tension.

Holly Robinson and Scott Surowiecki ultimately work as Elizabeth and Darcy. Their contrasting physical placement on the stage is what particularly expresses the unspoken emotions between the characters. But it is Tom Vickocil and Maria Benner as Elizabeth’s parents who draw out and use the comedy and satire that is fused into Austen’s work.

Elmhurst College sophomore, Ashley Thompson also brings a local and professional feel to the characterizations in this play. Throughout, it is her characterization that is most consistent.

The script is what Austen fans will most appreciate. Nearly every word is taken from the novel itself. Any additions or missing scenes are things that can will not haunt or anger die-hard Austen fans and will amuse those who are soon to be converted.

Despite instances of double casting of important characters and abrupt shifts into narration and epistolary element, this plays also managed to pin down the grace of movement and shifts that Austen employs in her novels.

The unpracticed British accents used might have been done away with, however. Audiences have enough imagination to yet imagine themselves in Britain without struggling to listen to what actors are trying to voice through muddy accents.

Then again, Austen fans who seemed to make up the majority of the audience, know the lines well enough to continue to witness their favorite story being played out in front of them.

Overall, this adaptation might be considered a feather in the cap of GreenMan Theatre Troupe. The dedication and enthusiasm of cast and crew shone through the performance, the set, the costumes, and the direction.

Pride and Prejudice ran from Oct. 16 to Nov. 1 at the First United Methodist Church on South York Road in Elmhurst. For upcoming productions, ticket prices, and more information visit GreenMan Theatre Troupe at http://www.greenmantheatre.com.