VPA scores hit with first play of season

Twice in three days I saw Kelly Larson’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” at the Valley Performing Arts theatre, and twice in three days I saw two completely different performances of the same play. As if the audience were the actors’ lifeblood, the Friday, Sept. 10 premiere took on a whole new dynamic unparalleled to the dress rehearsal just two nights prior.

A perfectly condescending Mr. Darcy (Jason Marvel) and the sharp-tongued Elizabeth Bennet (Britta Hanson) form the backbone of this classic love story with their stubborn and cheeky courtship, and the audience may sometimes find itself wondering when Lizzie and Darcy will be back on stage for that reason. It is, however, the chemical reaction that occurs on stage between Danielle Lewis and Calvin Turcott (Elizabeth’s sister, Jane, and Mr. Bingley, respectively) that takes the heart of the show with a subtlety that fits in well with the story, but also radiates a magic all their own.

The insufferable Mrs. Bennet, played with genuinely ridiculous charm by Stephanie Berta, spends much of the story frantically trying to marry off her five daughters to rich bachelors, while the ever caring and “mere” Mr. Bennet (Steve Brown) does all he can to do the same — outside of his wife’s earshot.

DJ Rotach, who gives the dastardly Mr. Collins a wickedly absurd quality, “goes so over the top,” says director Kelly Larson, “that sometimes I have to rein him back in.” Rotach doesn’t overdo his character to the point of exhaustion, however — he accomplishes the noble task of being completely repulsive to everyone in the theater; most effectively his cousin, the strong-willed Elizabeth Bennet, to whom he ardently offers his hand in marriage.

It is a truly hilarious scene as the toadish clergyman professes his desire for her, and in her rejection he sees traits in her he very soon comes to fear.

Every member of the cast makes the most of their characters, particularly the role of Catherine de Bourgh (Arlie Reed-Lewis) who, in one scene, asserts both her stuffy high-society influence and childish immaturity. The excitable Lydia Bennet, played by Rachel Clark (who, according to her bio, is a trained koala wrangler from the outback), also makes quite a splash.

I highly recommend you go out to VPA and enjoy a night of Pride and Prejudice — it is wonderfully funny, and both audience and actors are in for quite the show. Just do yourself (and everyone else) the favor of listening closely to Heather Whittington’s opening monologue and turn your cell phone off — we will all survive the longer. As long as Mr. Brown doesn’t practice his elaborate eye rolling at home.

“Pride and Prejudice” will runs through Oct. 3 at the Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla (251 W. Swanson Ave). Call 373-0195 for ticket information.

Sean Talbot is a student with the University of Alaska Anchorage and Mat-Su College.