Stacia Rice Returns to Guthrie's 'Jane Eyre,' March 8-30

The Guthrie announced the return of Jane Eyre, its popular stage adaptation of the classic Charlotte Bronte novel for a limited engagement in March 2008. The production, directed by Associate Artistic Director John Miller-Stephany, will play 20 performances on the Wurtele Thrust Stage from March 8 - 30. Tickets are priced from $29 to $59 and are on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612-377-2224, toll-free 877-44-STAGE and online at www.guthrietheater.org.

"Twin Cities" actress Stacia Rice will return to play the title character opposite Sean Haberle's Edward Rochester, in the stirring adaptation by Alan Stanford, whose version of Pride and Prejudice also earned rave reviews from audiences and critics alike when it was mounted at the Guthrie in 2003. Stanford introduces the audience to Jane Eyre at three ages: as a child of 12, a young woman of 18 and as a 50-year-old woman writing her memoirs, which serves as the framing and narrative device for the production. Margaret Daly and Lucy Lawton will return to play Jane Senior and Child Jane, respectively.

"Having survived an orphan childhood, Jane accepts a position as governess to a ward at Thornfield Hall. There, she wins the heart of her employer, Edward Rochester, a kind yet mysterious man. On their wedding day, Jane's love, strength and determination are tested as Rochester's long-kept secrets are unveiled, changing both their lives forever," explain press notes.

The 30-member Jane Eyre cast also includes Jessie Austrian (Blanche Ingram/Barbara), Jennifer Blagen (Miss Scatcherd/Diana Rivers), Barbara Bryne (Mrs. Fairfax), Caroline Cooney (Leah), Laura Esping (Miss Temple/Mary Rivers), Nathaniel Fuller (Mr. Brocklehurst/Mr. Wood), Peter Christian Hansen (St. John Rivers/Surgeon), ChariTy Jones (Mrs. Reed/Bertha), Barbara Kingsley (Lady Ingram/Hannah), Ron Menzel (Richard Mason, Peggy O'Connell (Grace Poole), John Skelley (Davie) and Peter Thomson (Lord Ingram/Briggs).  Plus Makenzie Allen (Georgiana Reed/School Girl), Grace Blevins (Adele), Shane Ellis (John Reed) Shelby Flannery (Helen Burns/School Girl), Alexis Gaither (Girl Pupil #1/School Girl), Hanna Kowalczyk (Orphan/Annie), Mac Rasmus (Broughton Brocklehurst), Amy Schroeder (Orphan/School Girl), Tiara Shockency (Eliza Reed/School Girl) and Caledonia Wilson (Orphan/Marjory) join the children's cast, with Dana Clausen, Paul McGuire and Glen Stone serving as essentials for the production.

The artistic staff includes Patrick Clark (Set and Costume Designer), Matthew Reinert (Lighting Designer), Andrew Cooke (Composer), Scott W. Edwards (Sound Designer), Carla Steen (Dramaturg), Lucinda Holshue (Voice and Dialect Coach), Marcela Lorca (Movement), Peter Moore (Fight Director), Chris A. Code (Stage Manager), Amy Monroe (Assistant Stage Manager) and Suzy Messerole (Assistant Director).

The Guthrie is located at 818 South 2nd Street (at Chicago Avenue), in downtown Minneapolis. To purchase tickets or season subscriptions call the Guthrie Box Office between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily at 612.377.2224 or toll-free 877.44.STAGE. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit www.guthrietheater.org.