A few weeks ago, I wrote about Janus Theatre Company's Summer Rep 2012, featuring Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice and William Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona. It was really more of a sneak peak of shows coming to Elgin rather than a full review. At the end of the article, my suggestion was for everyone to (1) Buy your tickets now (2) Go see both plays (3) "Like" Janus Theater Company on Facebook, for the perfect summer tri-fecta! Well what kind of person would I be, if I did not take my own advice? So, I went to see Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (we'll get to that in a moment) and I "Liked" Janus Theater on Facebook. And I truly can say that I not only "Like", but I love what theatrical experiences this company produces! And Pride & Prejudice is no exception!
Pride & Prejudice is Jane Austen's second novel, first published in 1813. It was originally titled First Impression due to the unfavorable first impressions that two potential lovers had for one another, but because these first false impressions where due to each other's pride and prejudices, the name was changed to be more descriptive. Now don't let the fact that this story was written in 1813 scare you away. This story has a meaning and meat that outlasts the dog-eared pages of time.
Two of the main characters, the fiery Elizabeth Bennet who is honest with a lively wit (fabulously played by the talented Cady Leinicke), meets the haughty and reserved Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy (superbly played by Robert Richardson), and it is not love at first sight...or is it? It seems that they are at odds with each other, but the audience can tell that there is a tension that feeds their souls, and that sets the tone for their dance of banter, miscommunications, pride and prejudices and finally - courtship. Added to these two strong-headed individuals is the rest of the Bennet sisters, whose mother's main objective is to marry them off to wealth. And throw in some desirable and not so desirable suitors and you have a romantic comedy that will entertain and delight you!
Pride & Prejudice and Two Gentlemen of Verona both can be seen at Elgin Art Showcase Janus's home theatre located on the eighth floor of the historic Professional Building at 164 Division Street, Elgin. The theater's intimate space is the perfect location for these adaptations. For Pride & Prejudice, the stagehands were the actors themselves. The set was simple in design, but set the tone for each scene, which, in turn, complimented to the splendid acting.
Walking out after the show ended, I heard the patrons saying, "very entertaining", "delightful", "superb acting" – and I couldn't agree more! The acting was spot on! Lines were delivered without hesitation, and at some points, I felt as if I was eavesdropping...well, if I was in England...and at a dance or social event of some sort...in the 1800's. And big kudos to Marge Uhlarik-Boller, Pride's director – who over her 30 year career - has worked on stage as well as off. In the program Marge says, "Bravo" to her "lovely cast and crew". I don't know Marge, but I say, "Bravo" to you for your efforts in directing Pride & Prejudice! I thought Pride & Prejudice was well worth the ticket price (and then some!) and I now look forward to Two Gentlemen of Verona. Two Gentlemen, which is directed by Terry Domschke (one of the original Janus Company founders) has taken this Shakespearian comedy and brought it to Italy, 1960. It is written that when Terry was directing Two Gentlemen of Verona he gathered inspiration from the Italian film director and scriptwriter, Federico Fellini. Fellini is said to be one of the most influential filmmakers of the 20th Century. I think this will definitely put an entertaining spin on this comedy.
So grab your smart phone because I have the 411 on tickets: Tickets are $15 online at janustheater.com or $17 by phone at 847-841-1713. I would order tickets now, though, because the night I went, it was almost a sold out show.
The performances are:
PRIDE & PREJUDICE
JUNE 29, 30 & JULY 1, 6, 7, 8, 14, 21.
TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
JULY 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22.
SPECIAL MARATHON PERFORMANCES
JULY 14 and 21
PRIDE & PREJUDICE at 2pm
TWO GENTLEMEN at 8pm
After you see both Pride & Prejudice and Two Gentlemen of Verona, I can only say of this, "Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure." (Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Mr. Darcy)
So, in the future, when you think of the summer night that you spent your time at these two outstanding Janus productions, I do believe that your remembrance of this night will put a smile on your face, and thus, bring you pleasure in its memory! Maybe not how Jane Austen would have defined this quote, but I'm going with it!
A few weeks ago, I wrote about Janus Theatre Company's Summer Rep 2012, featuring Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice and William Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona. It was really more of a sneak peak of shows coming to Elgin rather than a full review. At the end of the article, my suggestion was for everyone to (1) Buy your tickets now (2) Go see both plays (3) "Like" Janus Theater Company on Facebook, for the perfect summer tri-fecta! Well what kind of person would I be, if I did not take my own advice? So, I went to see Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (we'll get to that in a moment) and I "Liked" Janus Theater on Facebook. And I truly can say that I not only "Like", but I love what theatrical experiences this company produces! And Pride & Prejudice is no exception!
Pride & Prejudice is Jane Austen's second novel, first published in 1813. It was originally titled First Impression due to the unfavorable first impressions that two potential lovers had for one another, but because these first false impressions where due to each other's pride and prejudices, the name was changed to be more descriptive. Now don't let the fact that this story was written in 1813 scare you away. This story has a meaning and meat that outlasts the dog-eared pages of time.
Two of the main characters, the fiery Elizabeth Bennet who is honest with a lively wit (fabulously played by the talented Cady Leinicke), meets the haughty and reserved Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy (superbly played by Robert Richardson), and it is not love at first sight...or is it? It seems that they are at odds with each other, but the audience can tell that there is a tension that feeds their souls, and that sets the tone for their dance of banter, miscommunications, pride and prejudices and finally - courtship. Added to these two strong-headed individuals is the rest of the Bennet sisters, whose mother's main objective is to marry them off to wealth. And throw in some desirable and not so desirable suitors and you have a romantic comedy that will entertain and delight you!
Pride & Prejudice and Two Gentlemen of Verona both can be seen at Elgin Art Showcase Janus's home theatre located on the eighth floor of the historic Professional Building at 164 Division Street, Elgin. The theater's intimate space is the perfect location for these adaptations. For Pride & Prejudice, the stagehands were the actors themselves. The set was simple in design, but set the tone for each scene, which, in turn, complimented to the splendid acting.
Walking out after the show ended, I heard the patrons saying, "very entertaining", "delightful", "superb acting" – and I couldn't agree more! The acting was spot on! Lines were delivered without hesitation, and at some points, I felt as if I was eavesdropping...well, if I was in England...and at a dance or social event of some sort...in the 1800's. And big kudos to Marge Uhlarik-Boller, Pride's director – who over her 30 year career - has worked on stage as well as off. In the program Marge says, "Bravo" to her "lovely cast and crew". I don't know Marge, but I say, "Bravo" to you for your efforts in directing Pride & Prejudice! I thought Pride & Prejudice was well worth the ticket price (and then some!) and I now look forward to Two Gentlemen of Verona. Two Gentlemen, which is directed by Terry Domschke (one of the original Janus Company founders) has taken this Shakespearian comedy and brought it to Italy, 1960. It is written that when Terry was directing Two Gentlemen of Verona he gathered inspiration from the Italian film director and scriptwriter, Federico Fellini. Fellini is said to be one of the most influential filmmakers of the 20th Century. I think this will definitely put an entertaining spin on this comedy.
So grab your smart phone because I have the 411 on tickets: Tickets are $15 online at janustheater.com or $17 by phone at 847-841-1713. I would order tickets now, though, because the night I went, it was almost a sold out show.
The performances are:
PRIDE & PREJUDICE
JUNE 29, 30 & JULY 1, 6, 7, 8, 14, 21.
TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
JULY 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22.
SPECIAL MARATHON PERFORMANCES
JULY 14 and 21
PRIDE & PREJUDICE at 2pm
TWO GENTLEMEN at 8pm
After you see both Pride & Prejudice and Two Gentlemen of Verona, I can only say of this, "Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure." (Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Mr. Darcy)
So, in the future, when you think of the summer night that you spent your time at these two outstanding Janus productions, I do believe that your remembrance of this night will put a smile on your face, and thus, bring you pleasure in its memory! Maybe not how Jane Austen would have defined this quote, but I'm going with it!
