Theatre Review 'Pride @ Prejudice' At Theatre Three

By Cindi Sansone-Braff

Photos: Steven Uihlein, Theatre Three

Go See Theatre Three’s Polished and Professional Production of Pride @ Prejudice

Theatre Three PRIDE@PREJUDICE clockwise from upper right David DiMarzo, Christine Boehm, Andrew Murano, Michelle LaBozzetta, Ashley BrookeTheatre Three’s latest production, Pride @ Prejudice, is a new twist on an old tale. Daniel Elihu Kramer’s two-act dramedy deconstructs and reexamines Jane Austen’s beloved 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice through the lens of our modern, high-speed internet world. Chat rooms, blog posts, frustrated college students, commercial endorsements, and references to film adaptations are interspersed throughout. 

There’s no denying that Pride and Prejudice is one of Jane Austen’s most popular novels, one that has enchanted audiences for more than 200 years with its compelling love story complete with a “happily ever after” ending. Moreover,  a great deal of the timeless appeal of this masterful literary work rests on Ms. Austen’s realistic, relatable, and recognizable characters and the enduring themes the novel explores.

Daniel Elihu Kramer, the playwright and adaptor of the novel, teaches directing, acting, and Film and Media courses at Smith College. Pride @ Prejudice certainly reflects this academic background, but the play has plenty of down-to-earth humor in it as well. In this thought-provoking adaptation, Mr. Kramer was sure to highlight the themes that have made  Pride and Prejudice universally appealing, such as class distinctions and prejudice, misconceptions and harsh judgments of people based on presumptions, marriages of convenience versus marrying for love, the importance of family connections, and the challenging economic realities women faced because of gender inequality.

Theatre Three Christine Boehm, Andrew Murano, David DiMarzoThis comedy of manners revolves around the complicated love story between the well-to-do Mr. Darcy and the financially unstable Elizabeth Bennet. Brilliantly directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, this funny and poignant homage to Jane Austen featured five talented actors who complete an onstage theatrical marathon as they depict two dozen characters.

Christine Boehm gave a riveting performance as Elizabeth, the proud, independent, and strong-headed daughter of a middle-class country gentleman, and David DiMarzo was equally impressive as the wealthy, prideful, and often misunderstood Mr. Darcy. The onstage chemistry between Ms. Boehm and Mr. DiMarzo was one of the show’s highlights. Mr. DiMarzo also mastered the role of the bumbling, buffoonish Mr. Collins, an arrogant clergyman who doesn’t possess an ounce of spirituality. 

Michelle LaBozzetta is a remarkably versatile actress. She utilized her facial expressions, voice,  and expressive body language to make each distinct character come to life. I particularly enjoyed her portrayal of the pompous and rude Lady Catherine and her spot-on performance of Lydia, the Bennet’s flighty, fickle, and flirtatious youngest daughter.

David DiMarzo, Ashley Brooke.Ashley Brooke put her strong comedic skills to good use as  Mrs. Bennet, a neurotic, high-strung woman obsessed with marrying off her five daughters. Ms. Brooke’s rantings, ravings, crying fits, and bouts of hysteria were some of the funniest onstage moments.

Andrew Murano juggled many roles and made each one unique and memorable. He was convincing and likable as Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth’s kind and supportive father.  Mr. Murano gave a nuanced performance as Mr. Wickham, a manipulative militia officer who perpetuates the illusion that he is a righteous person when, in fact, he is a compulsive liar, swindler, and gambler.

The realistic 19th-century costumes by Chakira Doherty, the innovative set by Randall Parsons, and the illustrative projections by David Orlando added to the overall success of this polished and professional production. 

This entertaining, enlightening, and engaging show runs through May 6, 2023. To purchase tickets, contact the box office at 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of Grant Me a Higher Love, Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships, and Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic. Her full-length Music Drama, Beethoven, The Man, The Myth, The Music, is being published this spring. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.