Review: 'Pride and Prejudice' takes delightful musical turn

Well, he’s at it again. Tony Award nominee Paul Gordon has adapted another classic, this time, the beloved 1813 Jane Austen novel, “Pride and Prejudice.” Gordon’s tweaked it so it’s more a pop rock musical than a classical musical theater piece, but it’s still a delight nonetheless. And he wrote the book, the music and the lyrics.

Just this past February, I was at Chicago Shakespeare Theater attending Gordon’s other musical, "Emma"; this time, I was in full attendance at my dining room table as the opening premiere streamed online. “Pride and Prejudice: A New Musical” was filmed at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley in Palo Alto, California, in January 2020.

I'll admit I had misgivings about this one, after 11 film and TV versions of "Pride and Prejudice," I wasn't sure if there was room for one more. The answer, as you can find out yourself, is yes. And because it's streamed online on the Streamingmusicals.com site, the show never closes and, literally, the whole world gets to see this production. All actors and staff are paid through the fees collected.

In his 50th and final season, founding TheatreWorks Artistic Director Robert Kelley directs a solid, uplifting and lively production; perhaps lengthy, but thanks to Kelley’s mastery, it is a well-paced, well-staged and well-acted musical. Dottie Lester-White’s choreography is visually pleasing as are Fumiko Bielefeldt’s Regency period costumes. I also admired the terraced, unobtrusive, but elegantly romantic set design by Joe Ragey, all suggestively and beautifully lit by Pamila Z. Gray’s designs.

The iconic characters are articulate, fresh, faithful and authentic to Austen. The sometimes sparkling songs further the characterizations and, at times, advance the plot, but then don’t all great musicals do that? There’s very little spoken dialogue, but you won’t notice.

Mary Mattison is a wondrous, sharp-witted, independent Elizabeth Bennett. Mattison’s heroine is the perfect marriage of rich nuances, spunk and charm, and can she ever sing. The evidence of status and societal prejudice in her life is evident – a constant battle.

Justin Mortelliti may not be the conventionally disdainful and handsome Mr. Darcy (OK, so he’s no Colin Firth), but he of the rock star voice is very attractive with his vocal abilities, physical stature and the chemistry between him and Mattison.

Travis Leland is a sweet, tongue-tied, cheerful Mr. Bingley, and is superbly matched by Sharon Rietkerk’s pure, intelligent “can’t be this beautiful for nothing” Jane. Rietkerk perhaps has the best song of the show, “A Man of My Acquaintance.” It’s a tear raiser.

Taylor Crousore is the charming antagonist, the scoundrel Mr. Wickham; his handsome soldier seduces and leads everyone astray, fooling even our heroine. He’s a slick one.

Biting, yet comical moments are shared by the exquisite Lucinda Hitchcock Cone as the judgmental Lady Catherine de Burgh, and Brian Herndon as the smarmy reverend, Mr. Collins, legal heir to the Bennett estate. But it’s Christopher Vetter as the droll patriarch, Mr. Bennett, and Heather Orth, as the tireless Mrs. Bennett, who have some subtle scene-stealing moments of their own. All in all, a stellar cast in a flawless performance.

Suffice to say, and thankfully, Gordon has captured the poetry of Jane Austen’s language and stayed faithful to her characters in his musical. Most appreciatively, he doesn’t dwell long on the complicated Austen novel sub-plots (Lydia and Wickham, Darcy’s sister, the threat of Mr. Collins to mention a few). Everything is tied up satisfactorily and packaged triumphantly at the end. “Pride and Prejudice” may be a simple story, but it resonates and endures and entertains, and in these times, I’m grateful.

• When not in her recliner watching theatrical productions or attending Zoom meetings, Regina Belt-Daniels continues to shelter in place and hopes soon to continue what she loves to do best: act, direct, teach, travel with her husband, write theater reviews, and serve enthusiastically on theater boards everywhere.

If you view

WHAT: TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's “Pride and Prejudice: A New Musical”

WHERE: Online viewing

WHEN: Livestreaming daily; 2-1/2 hours, one intermission

COST: Rent for $4.99 or buy for $19.99

INFO: Streamingmusicals.com