Garland Civic Theatre Offers Stylish 'Pride and Prejudice'

Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice was first published in 1813, and became an immediate classic.  A dramatization was presented on Broadway in 1935, and the novel has been filmed countless times.  Lissa Creola penned a new adaptation for the stage which is currently on-stage at Garland Civic Theatre.  The classic story tells the story of the marriageable Bennet stories in 19^th century England
and their relationships with various suitors.

Miss Creola's adaptation is quite a good one—all the characters are vividly drawn with ample touches of humor.  Peter Ray's sharp direction highlighted the various characters and their motivations and highlighted the witticism of Austen's pen.  There were some quite interesting touches in the production, such as period music that transitioned one scene to another and the pantomimes that opened and closed the play.

The performances were all above average and included quite a few that were notable.  As the acid tongue Lady Catherine, Laura C. Cuter smacked across stinging phrases with more potency than a group of wasps.  Michael David DeVous and Melissa Odom enacted the central protagonists, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, with just the proper amount of tension to cause their scenes together to crackle.  Susan McMath Platt's turn as Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth's mother, was one comic highlight after another.  Her sobbing voice and over-the-topic facial gestures were sheer delight.

Pride and Prejudice will continue at Garland Civic Theatre until February 17.  For more information, please visit their website. 

Photo Credit:  Celeste Rogers 

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