Dead Writers Theatre Collective to Present Jane Austen's EMMA; Full Cast Announced

Dead Writers Theatre Collective has announced the Chicago Premiere of Michael Bloom's adaptation of Jane Austen's EMMA, presented for a limited run April 18- May 25, 2014 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Click here to purchase tickets online, or call the box office at 773.327.5252

Dead Writers' Artistic Director Jim Schneider directs a stellar cast which includes Heather Chrisler as Emma, Jerry Bloom as Mr. Woodhouse, Ben Muller as Knightly, Hilary Sigale as Harriet Smith, BranDon Johnson as Frank Churchill, Erica Bittner as Jan Fairfax, Lorelei Sturm as Mrs. Weston, Scott Olson as Mr. Weston, Kevin Sheehan as Mr. Elton, Meaghan Looney as Mrs. Elton, Sara Minton as Mrs. Bates, Nick Bonges as Robert Martin with Jerico Bleu, Kamron Palmer, William Czerwoinka and Andrea Young as Servants.

The design team for Jane Austen's Emma includes Set Design by Kennedy Center award-winning designer Moon Jung Kim, Costumes by Patti Roeder, Lighting Design by Linda Bugielski, Sound Design by Jeffrey Levin, Choreography by Ally Carey, Dramaturgy by Jeffrey Nigro, Dialect Coaching by Kendra Kargenian, Stage Management and Prop Design by Kari Warfield, Assistant Stage Manager, Angela Guest and Floral Design by Dead Writers' Managing Director Bob Douglas.

Jane Austen's Emma brings forth a comedy of manners about the perils of matchmaking in Jane Austen's England. Emma Woodhouse, the matchmaker of Highbury, England, sets out to arrange matches between people whom she feels are right for each other when she could not be more misguided. What she fails to realize is her own heart and feelings for her lifelong friend and most eligible bachelor in Highbury, Mr. Knightley. All ends well with everyone matched up with the right person and Emma learns that her matchmaking days are at an end.