FSU’s Department of Theatre and Dance Presents Jane Austen-Inspired “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley”

This holiday season join Frostburg State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance for a sequel to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon on Friday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 2, and Thursday, Dec. 7, through Saturday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. All performances will take place in the Drama Theatre of FSU’s Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center.

On Dec. 9, the department will also host a “Pemberley Ball” beginning at 5:30 p.m. before the evening performance. Tickets for this event are $10 and guests are encouraged, but not required, to dress in period attire.

Set two years after the novel ends, “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley” continues the story, only this time with bookish middle sister Mary as its unlikely heroine. Mary is growing tired of her role as a dutiful middle sister in the face of her siblings’ romantic escapades. When the family gathers for Christmas at Pemberley, an unexpected guest sparks Mary’s hopes for independence, an intellectual match and possibly even love.

“Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley” is directed by Shea-Mikal Green with costumes by guest artist and FSU Theatre and Dance alum, Cody Gilliam.

The cast consists of Whitney O’Haver (Elizabeth Darcy), Ronald Breitfeller (Fitzwilliam Darcy), Sydney Martinez (Mary Bennet), Brendon Eric McCabe (Arthur DeBourgh), Emilia Porter (Jane Bingley), Carson Luther (Charles Bingley), Kassidy Andris (Anne DeBourgh), Elena Echeandia (Lydia Wickham), Paige Brubaker (Housekeeper), Tony Rivera (Steward), Leah Moreland (Ladies Maid), T.J. Kelly (Butler), Casey Allison (Ladies Maid/Movement Captain) and Emma Messick (Ladies Maid).

In addition to Green and Gilliam, creative team members include Mackenzie Guynes (stage manager), George Georgeson (scenic and sound design), Ava Breighner (properties design), Kyle Wolford (assistant scenic design), Sarah Slack (assistant stage manager) and Nicole Mattis (dialect coach).

Tickets are $18 for the general public, $15 for FSU employees and senior citizens, $10 for youth and $7 for FSU students. Tickets can be purchased at www.frostburgtix.universitytix.com.

For more information and details about group ticket sales for the “Pemberley Ball” on Dec. 9, call the Theatre and Dance box office at 301-687-7462.