‘Tis the festive Yuletide season — a time for the esteemed Darcy and Bennet families to arrive at Capitol Stage for the charming “Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley.”
“Georgiana & Kitty” is the third of three works by playwrights Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon that extends the stories of the Jane Austen “Pride and Prejudice” characters.
“Georgiana & Kitty” is the third of three works by playwrights Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon that extends the stories of the Jane Austen “Pride and Prejudice” characters.
Capitol Stage has produced all three Gunderson-Melcon plays — the two previous being “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley,” and “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley.” And there is no doubt that Austen would derive great pride in both the “Georgiana & Kitty” play and this year’s performances by its talented cast.
In this third installment, the focus shifts to the two youngest, and mostly overlooked, daughters Georgiana Darcy and Kitty Bennet. It’s a glimpse into family dynamics, Victorian courtships, and the emergence of two independent women, all under the amusing swirl of sibling spats, catty compliments, gobs of gossip and closely guarded secrets.
Facing the social pressure of marriage, BFFs Georgiana (Megan Wicks) and Kitty (Fatemeh Mehraban) try to avoid courtship rituals while pursuing their independent paths. For Georgiana, it’s being an accomplished pianist while Kitty is her enthusiastic supporter.
The first act takes place during Christmas time at the Darcy’s Pemberley estate, where Georgiana finally meets the fellow musician whom she’s been secretly corresponding with — Henry Grey (Andrew Fridae). Sparks fly, but hopes diminish due to circumstances. All the while there is another romance a-brewing between flirtatious Kitty and Henry’s friend Thomas (Braeden Harris).
This production sings under the direction of Janis Stevens and the talented cast, many who were in the same production last year. The two wooing couples (Wicks, Mehraban, Fridae and Harris) are most charming and witty, backed by an equally talented assembly of relatives (Taylor Fleer as Elizabeth Darcy, a giggly Shelby Saumier as Lydia Wickham, Nicole Anne Salle as Jane Bingley, Leah Daugherty as Mary Bennet and Tarig Elsiddig as Fitzwilliam Darcy)
Overall, it’s quite Bridgerton-ian in dialogue, attire, music and aesthetic: stately parlors, stunning outfits, melodic music and Victorian manners. However, “Georgiana & Kitty” brings an additional message: that women can do something other than assume the perfect proper domestic role.
“Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley” plays through Sunday, Jan. 5; 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. $25-$48. Capital Stage Theatre, 2215 J St.; (916) 995-5464; Capital Stage.
In this third installment, the focus shifts to the two youngest, and mostly overlooked, daughters Georgiana Darcy and Kitty Bennet. It’s a glimpse into family dynamics, Victorian courtships, and the emergence of two independent women, all under the amusing swirl of sibling spats, catty compliments, gobs of gossip and closely guarded secrets.
Facing the social pressure of marriage, BFFs Georgiana (Megan Wicks) and Kitty (Fatemeh Mehraban) try to avoid courtship rituals while pursuing their independent paths. For Georgiana, it’s being an accomplished pianist while Kitty is her enthusiastic supporter.
The first act takes place during Christmas time at the Darcy’s Pemberley estate, where Georgiana finally meets the fellow musician whom she’s been secretly corresponding with — Henry Grey (Andrew Fridae). Sparks fly, but hopes diminish due to circumstances. All the while there is another romance a-brewing between flirtatious Kitty and Henry’s friend Thomas (Braeden Harris).
This production sings under the direction of Janis Stevens and the talented cast, many who were in the same production last year. The two wooing couples (Wicks, Mehraban, Fridae and Harris) are most charming and witty, backed by an equally talented assembly of relatives (Taylor Fleer as Elizabeth Darcy, a giggly Shelby Saumier as Lydia Wickham, Nicole Anne Salle as Jane Bingley, Leah Daugherty as Mary Bennet and Tarig Elsiddig as Fitzwilliam Darcy)
Overall, it’s quite Bridgerton-ian in dialogue, attire, music and aesthetic: stately parlors, stunning outfits, melodic music and Victorian manners. However, “Georgiana & Kitty” brings an additional message: that women can do something other than assume the perfect proper domestic role.
“Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley” plays through Sunday, Jan. 5; 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. $25-$48. Capital Stage Theatre, 2215 J St.; (916) 995-5464; Capital Stage.
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