Miss Bennet: Christmas At Pemberley TAPROOT THEATRE Seattle, WA 11/23/18
Miss Bennet: Christmas At Pemberley
Taproot Theatre
11/23/18
Calder Shilling and Shanna Allman in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Erik Stuhaug.
Greetings,
The holiday season is here and for many that means family, shopping, food, and hopefully a holiday show.
The Taproot Theatre is currently performing “Miss Bennet: Christmas At Pemberley” by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon (based on characters by Jane Austen).
The house was full Friday evening as the performance began. Mary Bennet (Shanna Allman) is one of four sisters. The only unwed sister, Mary is a scientific, book loving type that is quick to correct misinformation and is detail oriented to a fault. Her temper at times gets the best of her and she has accepted the fact that most likely she will live out her days alone.
Jane Bingley (Melanie Hampton) and her husband Charles Bingley (Dimitri Woods) are expecting a child. Elizabeth Darcy (Hana Lass) is married to Fitzwilliam Darcy (Brian Pucheu) Lydia Wickham (Kelly Karcher) is also married but, as we find out, is lonely as her husband is gone much of the time.
Brian Pucheu, Hana Lass, Shanna Allman, Melanie Hampton and Dimitri Woods in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Erik Stuhaug.
As Christmas approaches the Darcy household is preparing for the holiday - complete with the German tradition of having a decorated tree inside the house. Guest Arthur de Bourgh (Calder Shilling) arrives and finds he has much in common with Miss Bennet. A romance blooms with neither Arthur or Mary willing (or knowing) to confess their feelings for the other without putting pen to paper. Add in Anne de Bourgh (Sarah Ware) for even more complications to the story.
A series of mishaps happen as notes are dropped and read by the wrong party which leads this holiday tale into a world of laughter, emotional longing, and eventual happiness.
Calder Shilling and Kelly Karcher in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Erik Stuhaug.
I found “Miss Bennet: Christmas At Pemberley” incredibly engaging. The performances from the entire cast were just stellar. After only ten minutes, I was lost in their world in England and found myself anticipating what was going to happen next.
The comical aspect was a surprise addition as I was unfamiliar with the story. I would say the balance between tones was spot on throughout the production.
Sarah Ware and Calder Shilling in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Erik Stuhaug.
The show runs through December 29th. If you’re looking for a holiday show with plenty of heart, performed by a seasoned group of professionals, “Miss Bennet: Christmas At Pemberley” will hit the mark.
Happy Holidays!
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts
Eclectic Arts on Instagram
Special Thanks: Isaiah for the opportunity. Thank you very much!
Shanna Allman and Calder Shilling in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Erik Stuhaug.
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