Photo Flash: JANE AUSTEN'S EMMA, THE MUSICAL At Chance Theater

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is delighted to introduce Jane Austen's Emma: The Musical to Orange County for the first time as part of our 2018 Holiday Literature Series! Book, lyrics, and music by Tony-nominated composer Paul Gordon, directed by Casey Long, and with music direction by Bill Strongin, Jane Austen's Emma: The Musical will preview from November 23rd through November 30th; regular performances will begin December 1st and continue through December 23rd on the Cripe Stage at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center.

Jane Austen's enduring love story is brought to life as a romantic-comedy musical. The story revolves around Emma, a well-meaning, but disaster-prone matchmaker, who ignores her own romantic feelings while setting out to find a suitor for her friend Harriet. Her efforts go awry, of course, leading to comic complications. We invite you to fall in love again with one of Jane Austen's most adored characters, featuring an intelligent and buoyant score from Tony-nominated composer Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre)

Jane Austen's Emma: The Musical was first developed by TheatreWorks in 2006 and was in the NAMT Festival the same year. The world premiere was presented by TheatreWorks in 2007. Directed by Robert Kelley, the musical broke box office records for the theater. In 2008, the production premiered at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. In 2011, the musical had a successful run at The Old Globe in San Diego, directed by Tony-nominated director, Jeff Calhoun. In 2012, Stephen Wentmore and David Ira Goldstein helmed Jane Austen's Emma: The Musical for the Arizona Theatre Company.

Photo Credit: Benjamin Busch