Jane Austen classic to open Gallery 7 season

Gallery 7 Theatre & Performing Arts opens their 2009/2010 “Rise to the Challenge” Theatre season this November with Jane Austen’s classic story, Pride & Prejudice.

Set in a period of growing generational clashes and changing social norms, Pride & Prejudice features classic presumptions, misunderstandings and poignant moments. Three sisters, Jane, Elizabeth and Lydia, face the prospect of love and marriage in their own unique way, experiencing hardship, heartache and happiness along the way.

This much-beloved tale of love, passion and redemption comes alive in a special adaptation by one of Canada’s leading playwrights, Tom Wood.

“We’re very excited to be presenting this iconic story as our season opener,” says Gallery 7 Theatre’s artistic director, Ken Hildebrandt. “As a Canadian theatre, it thrills me when we’re able to feature works by Canadian playwrights. Woods’ script first premiered at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton just last year. It contains all the major characters and moments that people have come to love about the novel.”

The play’s director, Annette Reilly, is equally enthusiastic about the production. When speaking about some of the themes that surface in the story, Reilly explains that “Pride & Prejudice is the tale of one woman’s journey as she navigates through society, love, and marriage, all the while dealing with a family bent on social gain.” She continues, saying: “Pride and Prejudice was originally titled First Impressions, which perhaps is a more suitable name since this story revolves around people’s first impressions of one another. It’s amazing what can be understood and misunderstood by a first meeting.”

Pride & Prejudice features an ensemble cast of 17 performers from across the Lower Mainland, and together play a total of 27 different characters. In the lead roles of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are Burnaby resident, Mike Klemak, and Abbotsford resident, Jenni Fischer. Klemak is a graduate of the UVIC theatre program and has appeared in such television shows as Psych and Supernatural. Fischer holds a theatre degree from Trinity Western University and has appeared in productions of The Good Woman of Setzuan, Tartuffe and The Lady’s Not for Burning.

Playing the roles of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are veteran performers, John Dawson and Shelley Picard respectively. Dawson previously appeared in Gallery 7 productions of Lost in Yonkers, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Family Man while Picard, who is also no stranger to Fraser Valley audiences, recently appeared in Gallery 7 productions of Steel Magnolias and Crossing Delancey.

Completing the cast are Garret Davis, Beth Gasser, Kenzie Hall, Mark Hammer, Veronica Hargrave, Kimberly Larson, Aleshia Marston, Dave Peters, Teagen Plett, Anthony Teer, Derek Ward-Hall, Danielle Warmenhoven and Kathleen Varady as Lady Catherine De Bourgh.

Directing this talented group of performers is Annette Reilly. For Gallery 7, Reilly most recently directed The Trip to Bountiful. She is also an instructor at the theatre’s summer drama camp program and a graduate of the University of Victoria theatre program. She is supported by a talented group of designers. Set design is by Neil Klassen, costume design is by Dani Rebain, lighting design is by Ken Hildebrandt and sound design is by Bruce Havery. The stage manager is Charlene Crawford and the production photographer is Dianna Lewis of Creative Memory Studios.

“This is Gallery 7’s first real go at classical-style theatre so we’re pretty pumped to be sharing it with the community,” Hildebrandt explains. “This show is a perfect opportunity for friends and family to get out and enjoy some live theatre.”

Pride & Prejudice runs November 6-7, 12-14, 19-21, at 7:30 p.m. with additional discounted matinees on Nov. 7 and 14 at 2 p.m. at the MEI Theatre, 4081 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford. Costs for evening performances are $16 adults, $14 seniors (65+) and students, $13 groups of 10 or more and $9 children 12 and under. Costs for matinee performances are $12 Adults, Seniors & Students and $9.00 Children. Tickets can be purchased through House of James by calling 604-852-3701 or in person at 2743 Emerson Street. For more information about Pride & Prejudice or about Gallery 7 Theatre and the 2009/2010 “Rise to the Challenge” Theatre season, visit their website at www.gallery7theatre.com

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