Book-It Opens 29th Season With The Iconic Heroine JANE EYRE

Book-It Repertory Theatre will open its 2018-2019 season with Jane Eyre. Called the 'first historian of the private consciousness', author Charlotte Brontë explores classism, personal agency, and feminine spirituality in this Gothic mystery. Julie Beckman adapted and directed Jane Eyre for Book-It in 1999 and is directing the 2018 production.

"Considered by many to be the first feminist novel, Jane Eyre tells the story of a marginalized young woman, a 'poor orphan child' who rises above the trauma of her youth and the limitations of her situation to achieve self-fulfillment and love. Jane is not defined by the men in her world, nor does she accept the limiting doctrines and social norms of her day-many of which are still in place. Her passion, intelligence, capacity for self-examination, and independent spirit make her a role model, even today," says Beckman.

Orphaned as a child, Jane Eyre musters up the courage to take a governess job at Thornfield Hall where she meets the brooding Edward Rochester. Though she finds herself captivated by his kind spirit, she is distracted by the strange occurrences at the house. In this revolutionary piece of literature, eponymous heroine Jane maintains her integrity and inner strength as she grows into adulthood.

Jane Eyre captures the truth of the progressive mind of Brontë and the societal limitations and expectations of women in the early 19th century. Brontë believed in marrying for love, a woman's right to an education, the right to pursue a meaningful career, and held that respect was earned by a person's work and actions not determined by their gender. In a time when a woman's individuality was undervalued and her capabilities underestimated, Brontë's opinions, perspectives, and deep sense of self were radical for the time.

Mi Kang, who appeared as Nao in Book-It's 2016 production of A Tale for the Time Being, will be playing Jane Eyre. Seattle-based film and theatre actor Ross Destiche* will be playing Edward Rochester.

The cast also includes Ian Bond as John Reed/St. John/Ensemble, Keiko Green* as Blanche/Bertha/Ensemble, Frank Lawler as Mr. Brocklehurst/Ensemble, Jacoba Lee as Georgiana/Ensemble, Marty Mukhalian as Mrs. Reed/Mrs. Fairfax/Ensemble, Zoe Papadakis and Jazzlyn Bleil-Geiselman as Adele/Ensemble, and Ayo Tushinde as Helen/Grace Poole/Ensemble.

Eric Bradler joins the team as the music director. The design team includes scenic design by Will Abrahamse, sound design by Kyle Thompson, costume design by Jocelyne Fowler, lighting design by Thorn Michaels, and properties design by Linda Kenworthy Reynolds.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

Jane Eyre plays September 13-October 14, 2018 (Opening/Press Night on September 15) at The Center Theatre at the Armory (305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109). Performance tickets start at $26 with group rates available. $20 tickets will be available to students during the entire run with valid school ID. Purchase at book-it.org or by calling the box office at 206.216.0833. The box office is open Tues through Fri, 12pm - 5pm (Tues - Sat during production run), located in the outer lobby of The Center Theatre at the Armory, 305 Harrison St., Seattle.

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