A Literary Classic Comes to Life at Northwestern

EVANSTON, Ill. --- “Pride and Prejudice,” Jane Austen’s timeless tale of manners and romance will be performed as part of the 2013-14 Mainstage Season at the Theatre and Interpretation Center at Northwestern University. First published in 1813, Austen’s novel has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.

Adapted for the stage by former Milwaukee Repertory Theater artistic director Joseph Hanreddy and Chicago director J.R. Sullivan, “Pride and Prejudice” will take place from Nov. 15 to 24 at the Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive, on the University’s Evanston campus.

The production will be staged at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15; 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17; 7:30 p.m.  Thursday, Nov. 21; 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22; 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24. A special student matinee will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22. Post-show discussions will follow the Nov. 15, Nov. 17 and Nov. 21 performances. 

On Nov. 21, in partnership with the League of Chicago Theatres’ popular “Theater Thursday” series, a one-of-a-kind theatre experience will immerse show patrons in 19th century England and the world of Jane Austen. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a reception in the lobby and feature a traditional English tea menu and wine courtesy of City Winery. An in-depth post-show discussion with the cast and creative team members will be moderated by Diane Capitani, director of the Writing Center and affiliate faculty in writing and theology at the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University. Capitani also is a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America.

Directed by Jeff-nominated Northwestern theatre faculty member Jessica Thebus, the dramatic production sparkles with dancing, romance and wit. It features a student cast and faculty member Tracy C. Davis, the School of Communication’s Ethel M. Barber Professor in Performing Arts, in the role of haughty and pompous Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

In it, lively Elizabeth Bennet encounters interfering parents, squabbling sisters, snobby aristocrats and her own prejudices before realizing that she is in love with a man she professes to despise.

“It’s about money and manners, men and matches, the meanings of drawing room conversations, and most of all, it is about love,” said Thebus, who is directing this production on the cusp of the book’s upcoming 200th Anniversary.

“Pride and Prejudice” is made possible by a generous grant from The Alumnae of Northwestern University. Tickets are $25 for the general public; $22 for seniors over 62 and Northwestern faculty and staff and educators; and $10 for full-time students with valid IDs (at the door) or $5 tickets exclusively for full-time Northwestern students on advance purchase. Discounts are available for groups of eight or more.

CONSTRUCTION ALERT

A three-year construction project underway on the southeast end of the Northwestern University campus has closed Arts Circle Drive to traffic. Free parking for evening and weekend events remains available, but the project impacts handicap parking and patrons requiring special access to Evanston campus theaters, as the parking structure is accessible only to patrons able to climb stairs. For the most current information on the construction project and drop-off locations for patrons requiring special access to our theaters, visit TIC online.