KCRep'S Regional Premiere Of Kate Hamill's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Slated For Mar. 22 – Apr. 14

Next up in Kansas City Repertory Theatre's 2018/2019 season is the multiple award-winning and much-heralded production, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE written by Kate Hamill, directed by KCRep's recently-departed Associate Artistic Director, Marissa Wolf, and based on the novel by Jane Austen. Hamill's hilarious, gender-bending reimagining of arguably Austen's most beloved book, runs March 22 - April 14, 2019, at Spencer Theatre on the UMKC campus.

Director Marissa Wolf, who most recently directed A CHRISTMAS CAROL and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME at KCRep, calls Hamill's adaptation, "A fantastic, feminist farce! Hamill writes with an athleticism embedded in the language and physicality of the play, which beautifully embodies Austen's wickedly smart, buoyant spirit."

Finding a husband is hardly Elizabeth Bennet's most urgent priority. But with four sisters, an overzealous mother, and a string of unsuitable suitors, it's a difficult subject to escape. When the independent 'Lizzy' meets the vaguely handsome but enigmatic Mr. Darcy, all feelings of attraction are muted by his pride and her prejudice.

Both reverently devoted to the original source material, yet remarkably funny, moving, and filled with unexpected surprises, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is a favorite comedy of manners from the British Regency period. There are overarching themes of gender and marriage that the strong-willed Austen left behind for future generations to debate and negotiate, but Hamill's stylized approach to getting people laughing is what this version is really all about.

The Company for PRIDE AND PREJUDICE features, alphabetically, Walter Coppage as Charlotte/Mr. Bennet; Sam Cordes as Mr. Collins/Wickham/Miss Bingley; Nedra Dixon as Mrs. Bennet; Bree Elrod as Lizzy Bennet; Nicole Marie Green as Lydia/Lady Catherine; Brian Demar Jones as Mr. Darcy; Andy Perkins as Bingley/Mary; and Lauren Spencer as Jane/Mrs. DeBourgh. Rachel M. Dyer serves as the Assistant Stage Manager, and Mary R. Honour is the Stage Manager. Besides director Wolf, the production/design team includes Choreographer Darrell Moultrie, Set Design by Kimie Nishikawa, Costume Design by Melissa Torchia, Masha Tsimring is Lighting Designer and Madeleine Oldham is Sound Designer. Wig Designer Alison Hanks, Dialect Coach Scott Stackhouse, and Assistant Director Amy O'Connor round out the team.

Hamill, who grew up in upstate New York farm country, is both an award-winning actress and playwright and was named "Playwright of the Year" in 2017 by The Wall Street Journal. According to her website, she is "deeply passionate about creating new female classics: stories that center around complicated women." Her work often features absurdity and tends to examine social and gender issues and the ongoing struggle to reconcile one's own identities. Her recent plays include adaptation of other Jane Austen novels, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (where she also originated the role of Marianne), VANITY FAIR (in which she originated the role of Becky Sharp) and MANSFIELD PARK, as well as IN THE MINES, and LITTLE WOMEN.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE runs at the Spencer Theatre on the UMKC campus. Tickets start at just $38 and may be purchased by visiting https://kcrep.org/show/pride-and-prejudice or by calling the KCRep box office at 816-235-2700. Groups of nine or more receive discounted tickets by calling Andrew at 816-235-6122.

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