TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Presents “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley”
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley presents the heartwarming holiday play Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, written by Bay Area playwrights Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon. Following its hit stage adaptations of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma, TheatreWorks returns to the Regency with this Pride and Prejudice sequel that is perfect for the whole family. This charming romantic comedy full of festive fun stars a different Bennet sister: bookish Mary, who is tired of being in the middle of her sisters’ romantic mishaps. A new guest’s arrival at Pemberley for the holidays offers Mary the chance to take control of her story. Directed by TheatreWorks Associate Producer of Casting & Literary Management Jeffrey Lo, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley will be presented through December 29, 2024 at Lucie Stern Theatre (1305 Middlefield Road), Palo Alto, CA.
Director Lo has assembled a talented cast to bring to life this regency romance. Elissa Beth Stebbins returns to TheatreWorks as Mary Bennet, the bookworm middle sister. Seen in The Prince of Egypt and Tuck Everlasting, David Toshiro Crane returns to TheatreWorks as Arthur de Bourgh, a studious loner who visits Pemberley for the holidays. Seen in the digital reading of Writing Fragments Home, Kausar Mohammed makes her TheatreWorks debut as Lizzy Bennet, Mary’s older sister who is married to Mr. Darcy and living at Pemberley estate. A swing for Mrs. Christie, Amanda Pulcini makes her mainstage debut as Jane Bennet, the eldest Bennet sister who is married to Mr. Bingley and visiting Pemberley for the holidays.
Also, serving as an understudy in Being Alive: A Sondheim Celebration, Adam Griffith makes his mainstage debut as Fitzwilliam Darcy, a formerly disagreeable gentleman now turned reformed romantic. William Thomas Hodgson returns to TheatreWorks as Charles Bingley, a rich and charming gentleman. Seen in A Little Princess, Jane Eyre, and Pacific Overtures, Sophie Oda returns to TheatreWorks as Lydia Bennet, the youngest Bennet sister stirring up trouble at Pemberley. Performing with TheatreWorks’ Oskar program, Maggie Mason makes her mainstage debut at TheatreWorks as Anne de Bourgh, Darcy’s cousin who is navigating an uncertain future.
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley features scenic design by Andrea Bechert, costume design by Cathleen Edwards, lighting design by Spenser Matubang, and sound design by James Ard. Taylor McQuesten serves as stage manager with Emily Anderson Wolf as assistant stage manager.
American Sign Language interpretation will be available at the performance of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at 7:30pm Tuesday, December 17. In partnership with c2 Caption Coalition, TheatreWorks will include open captioning (a screen displaying all dialogue and a description of sound effects) for the performances 2pm and 7pm on Sunday, December 22 and 2pm Thursday, December 26. TheatreWorks is collaborating with Gravity Access Services in offering audio descriptions to assist patrons who are visually impaired. This service will be available 8pm Saturday, December 28 and 2pm Sunday, December 29 (To utilize audio description, patrons should pre-register at 877-662-8978 after purchasing tickets). Assistive listening devices are offered at every performance with no advance registration required.
For tickets or more information the public may visit TheatreWorks.org or call 877-662-8978.
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Photo caption: The Bennet sisters and their husbands are intrigued by the arrival of a Lord (David Toshiro Crane - center) in TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's "Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley," currently performing through December 29 at Lucie Stern Theatre. (Photo Credit: Kevin Berne)