I always love a chance to see a new to me company here in Utah but I love it even more when said company is doing not only Pride and Prejudice but doing the adaptation by Melissa Leilani Larson that I love and adore. Such was my treat this last weekend in beautiful Midway and the wonderful company Charitable Acts Theatre. You couldn’t ask more from a community theater production of this classic play. Plus ticket proceeds go to support the Peace House charity.

This production of Pride and Prejudice is put on at the Midway City Hall and what director Carrie Zabaldo and her team have done is segment the staging area into 3 sections each with different wallpaper and furnishings. This makes it very easy to transition between the settings whether it be Netherfield Park, Longbourn or Pemberley. On the walls hang empty frames and then the middle connecting the sections is an open frame with a platform for characters to stand in when they are being discussed (like when Lizzy is reading Mr Darcy’s letter or or the family is reading Lydia’s departure note. It is a very clever and fresh way to stage the scenes we all know and love so well. If anything they could have used this framing device even more than they did but it’s a fun piece of set design (set designer Carolyn Robison.)

The cast is also up for the challenge of this daunting piece. Connor McMaster and Madeleine Mustard have fantastic chemistry as Lizzy and Darcy and Jon Yusko and Madelynn Hunter are hilarious as Mr Collins and Mrs Bennet respectively. Ciera Kizerian is also very memorable as the snobbish Caroline Bingley. The whole cast kept their accents well and they have a nice spirit together as a company, which is of course the most important aspect of any piece of community theater. The costuming team also deserves high praise for not only getting the regency dresses correct but the undergarments with the right chemises, stockings and other clothing as well.

Since this isn’t in a traditional theater space I would recommend bringing a seat cushion with you as the office chairs can be uncomfortable for such a long play. Nevertheless, this would be a great date night or a chance to introduce anyone to the greatness of Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice is playing through June 14th and tickets can be purchased here.

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