Kate Hamill

CCP: On tonight’s episode of ‘I Loathe Darcy…’

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By John Lyle Belden

The Jane Austen novel “Pride and Prejudice” has become so familiar to those who have enjoyed it on page and screen that someone once inserted zombies into the story. What we’ll get here, though, is much more alive. Carmel Community Players presents a recent adaptation by Kate Hamill that plays into the expectations of our romcom and sitcom-fueled culture.

Directed by Samantha Kelly, the essence of the story, set in genteel 19th-century England, is intact: the relatively poor Bennet family worry that their four daughters will not be able to marry above their station, pinning their hopes on a few local bachelors with wealth or potential.

Let’s meet our bachelorettes: Beautiful Jane (Caitlin Karas), the eldest, would love to marry wealthy Charles Bingley (Grayson Wieneke), who is interested but reluctant to pop the question. Lizzie (Katie Endres) is smart, headstrong and declares she “shall never marry.” Quirky Mary (Elizabeth Enderle) everyone considers disturbingly homely (apparently even Death won’t touch her, only giving her gaunt features and a persistent cough). Spritely Grace (Lydia Miller), the youngest, is hyper and impulsive. Also on hand is equally destitute friend Charlotte Lucas (Desiree Black), who seems to kindly accept her role as a wallflower.

Mrs. Bennet (Amanda Falcone) is frantic, to say the least, constantly extolling the virtues of her marriageable daughters to anyone who’ll listen. Meanwhile, Mr. Bennet (Matthew Socey) just wants to be left alone to read his newspaper or otherwise let things play out as they will.

At social events we meet Mr. Bingley’s posh sister Caroline (Amalia Howard), as well as the nervous Fitzwilliam Darcy (Alec Cole), who has a legendarily awkward meet-cute with Lizzie. We also encounter George Wickham (Drake Smith), ambitious but “only a Lieutenant” in the Royal Army; rich but rather creepy cousin Mr. Collins (Grant Bowen); and the fiercely upper-class Lady Catherine de Bourgh (Elizabeth Ruddell).

In Hamill’s snappy script, what we get is a sort of cross between “Fiddler on the Roof” (sans music) and “Taming of the Shrew” as though presented by the Hallmark Channel – and it works delightfully. Farcical elements entertain: Falcone’s over-the-top performance making it understandable that neighbors start to avoid her; Bowen leering in such a way that we feel Lizzie’s dread at possibly marrying Collins; the various comical jump-scares around Mary, so much that I started to feel bad for her (or at least Enderle).

It all melds well with the romantic drama aspects, such as Lizzie’s grudgingly growing appreciation of Mr. Darcy, and Lydia discovering that to leap before one looks can bring on consequences. Endres and Cole acquit themselves well as more true-to-book versions of the characters.

Nicely paced while funny and charming, indulge in “Pride and Prejudice” Thursday through Sunday (two performances Saturday) at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. Get tickets at carmelplayers.org or thecat.biz.

Rumor has it: Civic makes ‘Sense’

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By John Lyle Belden

If you wonder at the possible appeal of a play based on a Jane Austen novel, consider the number of people, from all backgrounds, now hooked on Downton Abbey. And it’s not just the accents, the fine clothes, or even the tea – but a good well-told story that sustains such period tales’ popularity. And we all feel for those living mired in an environment of strict rules of conduct and etiquette.

“Sense and Sensibility,” a light drama based on Austen’s 1811 novel, at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre through Feb. 17, also emphasizes a public scourge with which we can all identify: The constant gossip and rumors, frequently spoken to set up and frame the scenes, sound all too familiar in our Twitter and TMZ world.

Weathering this social storm are the Dashwood family. The widow Mrs. Dashwood (Carrie Neal) and her daughters – sensible Elinor (Emily Bohn), romantic Marianne (Morgan Morton) and young Margaret (Elisabeth Giffen Speckman) – are forced to live on their own in a humble cottage, as their former estate had gone to a son from Mr. Dashwood’s prior marriage (women weren’t allowed to inherit). Despite being dropped to the lower rungs of the almost caste-like society of 1790s England, Elinor and especially Marianne receive the attentions of very promising single men, including shy Robert Ferrars (Joshua Ramsey), rakish John Willoughby (Justin Klein) and steady Colonel Brandon (Bradford Reilly).

In addition to these men, the cast also includes scene-stealer extraordinaire Matt Anderson as the Dashwoods’ cousin Sir John, whose generosity helps the women stay on their feet. In exchange, he – and nearly anyone else around – only want the latest juicy news from around the countryside.

This recent adaptation of Austen’s story by Kate Hamill, directed for the Civic by John Michael Goodson, is marked by its reliance on swirling rumor to drive the plot, as well as its minimalist staging. Little more than chairs and a few props are used, putting the focus squarely on the actors. Aside from Bohn and Morton, whose characters are the focal point of the book and play, all other cast members play multiple roles, and even the occasional dog or horse. This adds to the show’s sense of humor – enough to entertain, but never overreaching into farce. For instance, at one point Abby Gilster frequently enters and exits a scene as two different characters, making it an inevitable laugh line when one has to remark about the other.

High marks to all the cast, with clear characterizations despite a fairly high-energy pace (no dreary corset drama, this!). And as a woman’s novel adapted by another woman, it’s easy to see the story as a celebration of women working to live as much as possible on their own terms.

A review of the original New York production of this version calls it “Jane Austen for those who don’t usually like Jane Austen,” but that sells the source material short. This “Sense and Sensibility” looks through the old story through a more contemporary lens, while leaving Miss Austen’s intentions intact. It only makes “sense” that you should check this out.

Performances are on the Tarkington stage at the Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Carmel. Call 317-843-3800 or visit www.civictheatre.org, or thecenterpresents.org for tickets.