News Release
For immediate use: Friday, Feb. 27, 2009
Note: For a play poster, see end of story.
PlayMakers, the professional theater company in residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will present the show April 1-19.
Performances will be in the Paul Green Theatre in UNC’s Center for Dramatic Art on Country Club Road. Show times will be 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, and 2 p.m. Sundays. For a complete schedule, more information and to purchase tickets, call (919) 962-PLAY or visit www.playmakersrep.org. Tickets are $10 to $40.
Austen’s beloved novel will be brought from page to stage in a lively presentation for fans of the timeless tale. Along with swooning romance, the story navigates its accompanying obstacles — family baggage, social class and money matters — with sly wit and surprisingly clear-eyed observations. The five Bennet sisters in pursuit of romance, heart-throb Mr. Darcy, duplicitous Mr. Wickham and the imperious Lady Catherine de Bourgh all will grace PlayMakers’ stage in the theater’s 2008-09 main-stage season finale.
Critics have praised the play’s wit and theatricality, and Jory’s success in keeping the audience’s experience true to the novel while bringing it to life with the “you-are-there” immediacy of live theater.
“What I’m most proud of is that 97 percent of the words are Jane Austen’s,” said Jory.
The New York Times called the play “a fast-paced romantic comedy of classic proportions.” The Denver Post said it’s “a delightfully thoughtful and entertaining evening.”
Jory is the former longtime producing director of Actors Theatre of Louisville (Ky., 1969-2000) and founder of its Humana Festival of New American Plays. He has directed on and off-Broadway, internationally and at numerous regional theaters across the country. He has received honors including the American Theatre Distinguished Career Award and the Drama League’s Outstanding Contribution to Theatre Award.
Special events related to the production include:
• the opening night performance at 8 p.m. on April 4, with a gala party afterward;
• preview performances April 1, 2 and 3;
• a free “Sneak Peek” director’s talk and set preview at noon on March 25 in the Paul Green Theatre;
• post-show discussions on April 8 and 12; and
• an all-access performance for attendees with special needs (sign language interpretation, audio description) on April 14.
Timothy Douglas will direct PlayMakers’ production. Douglas has worked with Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Mass. and as associate artistic director of Actors Theatre of Louisville , Ky. He has directed extensively at regional theaters nationwide and was director in residence at Los Angeles’ Mark Taper Forum through an Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship. He directed the world premiere of August Wilson’s final play, “Radio Golf,” at Yale Repertory Theatre.
Based in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences, PlayMakers is the Carolinas’ premiere resident professional theater company. The Drama League named PlayMakers one of the “best regional theatre companies in America.”
Corporate co-producers for “Pride and Prejudice” are Carolina Meadows and NetApp.
Coverage note: Media are welcome to cover the director’s talk and set preview at noon March 25. Photography, videography, lights and flashes are not restricted. For assistance, call (919) 428-1744.
Photo: [URL here]
PlayMakers contact: Connie Mahan, (919) 428-1744, cmahan@email.unc.edu
College of Arts and Sciences contact: Kim Spurr, (919) 962-4093, spurrk@email.unc.edu