Jane and Her Musical Reviews - May 2020

Jane Austen Musicals

Were you able to join us earlier this month for a little song and dance Jane style?

Jane Austen’s works have been the subject of adaptations as early as 1833 and some of the most recent dramatizations include the musical Emma and Pride and Prejudice by Tony Award nominee Paul Gordon.

Recently featured on streamingmusicals.com, his 2019/20 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice debuted December 4, 2019 and established a new box office record at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley in Palo Alto, CA. The production, directed by TheatreWorks’ Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley and choreographed by Dottie Lester-White, had its Virtual Opening Night April 10th.

With the benefit of livestream technology, audiences were able to join the free virtual event from the comfort of their own homes while connecting with fellow Jane Austen fans around the globe. Hosts Julie James, Beth Leavel and Laura Osnes engaged in lively discussions and lead the Opening Night intermission interviews with cast and crew including Mary Mattison (Elizabeth Bennet).

Thanks to the popularity of that event, streamingmusicals.com brought back Gordon’s 2018 musical adaptation of Emma for audiences to enjoy from May 6-7. This critically acclaimed stage adaptation re-imagined the timeless tale in a modernized mid-century setting while keeping the language of the original novel intact.

Did you get a chance to join either of the livestreams? If so, what did you make of the adaptations? We’ll be sure to share more Jane related events with you in the future and be sure to share any events you hear of so we can add them to the calendar.

Thank you and keep well.

JASNA Calgary

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