Brandon Twp.- The Brandon High School fall play is Morgan Barton’s dream production.
For Director Jeff Malicke, it is a new challenge.
But both believe audiences will enjoy a new take on ‘Pride and Prejudice,? with performances at 7 p.m., Nov. 12, 13, and 14 at the BHS Performing Arts Center, 1025 S. Ortonville Road. Tickets are $5 and available at the door, with general admission seating.
‘People generally either love or don’t love Pride and Prejudice,? said Malicke. ‘The challenge is to have the audience entertained and enjoying the play. It’s a great cast, they’re very passionate about what they do.?
This is Malicke’s fifth production as BHS play director. The English and broadcasting teacher has also led students in ‘The Crucible,? ‘Alice in Wonderland,? ‘Charlotte’s Web? and ‘Robin Hood.? He noted that senior students wanted a chance at more serious acting roles after performing in several fantasies. ‘Pride and Prejudice? was chosen as a classic with enough male and female roles.
The BHS production is based on Jane Austen’s novel, which centers around an 18th Century English courtship between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett. While Malicke said the play’s script, written by Jon Jory, is faithful to the book, he and the BHS actors have taken a few liber-ties, including changing costumes and set pieces to a 1950s look. Characters will also speak to the audience to move the story forward, breaking the ‘fourth wall? frequently.
‘The students are excited about performing ‘Pride and Prejudice? and while I wasn’t expecting the choice, if I didn’t do this as a director, I wouldn’t be expanding my skill set and exposing them to a different kind of acting,? said Malicke. ‘We’re all working outside our comfort zones.?
Barton, a BHS senior who plays Elizabeth Bennett, welcomes the opportunity.
‘I love this kind of literature and the way everyone talks to each other’proper, respectable,? she said. ‘This play portrays women who did not have the option to be independent’marrying was their job. Elizabeth rejects that idea? She marches to her own drum. She doesn’t want the husband that will make her comfortable and give her a good house’she wants to be in love.?
Barton is looking forward to acting opposite BHS Senior Siggy Arndt, who plays Mr. Darcy.
‘This is unlike anything we’ve done at Brandon,? said Arndt. ‘Most of our productions have been fantasy and this one is grounded in reality’it could happen, it’s not implausible.?
He, like Barton, enjoys the proper language of the play and as an example, cites his favorite quote, his first line said after a friend invites him to come dance, ‘You know how I detest it unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. Your sister is engaged and there’s no other woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment for me to stand up with.?
Arndt likes the progression of Darcy as a character who at first seems harsh, but becomes warmer throughout the play and he believes audiences will be surprised by ‘Pride and Prejudice.?
‘The movie is such a chick flick, but this is not the movie,? said Arndt. ‘It has comedy and they will like the drama.?
Barton said the play is modernized and brings out the loud, crazy family that is relatable to audiences.
‘There is mother love, sisterly bonds and the crushes everyone has,? she said. ‘We’re modernizing Austen’s story for today. They will connect and feel at home.?