By Caroline Jenkins, Staff Writer
First Flight’s fall play is taking a step back from last year’s “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” – a story about the Holocaust – with “Pride and Prejudice,” which embraces the lighter side of entertainment.
Based on Jane Austen’s critically acclaimed novel, “Pride and Prejudice” follows the Bennet family and the complex relationship between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. It is a story of romance as well as humor, taking the stage at FFHS’ David E. Oaksmith Auditorium on Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 (Nov. 9-11). Tickets are $6 for students, seniors and children, and $8 general admission.
Senior Suzanne Harrison is playing the lead role of Elizabeth Bennet, who is a very strong and independent woman of the early 1800s, which is something very rare to find in those times. Harrison finds common ground with these feminist ideas.
“She is pressured into finding a husband, where I feel in high school you’re like, ‘I need to have a boyfriend’ because you see all these couples in the hallway,” Harrison said. “The story was written in the 1800s and applies even now, that you don’t need a man to be happy. So I definitely agree with her philosophy.”
Harrison is looking forward to opening night and hopes students and community members will come out and support the cast and crew, especially since many people know this classic already.
“It’s fun because senior year you study English literature, so a lot of kids from my grade will be able to come see it and be like, ‘We read this’ and understand what they are seeing on stage,” Harrison said. “This play is definitely more lighthearted and fun than last year’s show, which also makes it more fun to perform on stage.”
Alongside Harrison, senior Joey McNamara is thrilled to play Darcy, who is the love interest of Elizabeth Bennet.
“(My character) is a very stoic gentleman who is looking to find someone to marry,” McNamara said. “I end up going to a certain person’s house and I end up not liking that certain person at first, but then something happens.”
McNamara finds his role of Mr. Darcy somewhat relatable, but there are differences that cannot be ignored: “This man is a lot older than I am. He’s looking to get married and I don’t have that type of problem right now. I’m in high school.”
Enjoy the talents of the dozens of cast members who play alongside Harrison and McNamara’s characters — including junior Chloe Futrell who plays Mrs. Bennet, senior Miles Kasten playing the dashing Mr. Bingley and junior Grace Hook, who plays Lydia Bennet. The play is directed by Monica Penn and Lauren Deal.
“This play is such a joy to perform and we’re putting it together slowly, piece by piece,” Harrison said. “At the end of putting all the pieces together, it’s going to be a wonderful show.”
Junior Caroline Jenkins can be reached at [email protected].
Pride and Prejudice Cast
- Mr. Bennet — Damon Horak/Christian DeMarco
- Hill — Quinn Ratti
- Mrs. Bennet — Chloe Futrell
- Lady Lucas — Robyn Godley
- Charlotte Lucas — Emma Seay
- Jane Bennet — Summer Tonnesen
- Elizabeth Bennet — Suzanne Harrison
- Lydia Bennet — Grace Hook
- Mr. Darcy — Joey McNamara
- Mr. Bingley — Miles Kasten
- Mr. Collins — Zane Fish
- Amelia — Alexius Drake
- Mr. Wickham — Jonathon Davis
- Belinda/Mrs. Lake — Stephanie Dudley
- A Young Man — Ben VanVliet
- Captain Denny — Christian DeMarco/Cassidy O’Neil
- Miss Bingley — Natalia Madison
- A 2nd Young Man — Diego Hernandez
- Maggie — Olivia Guns
- Mrs. Gardiner/Amanda — Caitlin Nicholson
- Lady Catherine de Bourgh — Hopelyn Kovacs
- Colonel Guy Fitzwilliam — Jack Tine
- Maid — Sofia Dick
Pride and Prejudice Crew
- Director — Monica Penn
- Assistant Director — Lauren Deal
- Stage Manager — Amber Laskowski
- Backstage Right Manager/Curtain Puller — Carrietta Classen
- Backstage Left Manager — Anna Beasley
- Running Crew — Jordan Daniels, Cecille Ernst, Grace Folds, Kyla Horak, Torren Phillips & Natalie Smith
- Microphone Operator — Heidi Sabatini
- Music and SFX Operator — Grace Thompson
- Light Board Operators — Mac McClary, OJ Sawtell
- Hair/Makeup — Kiersten Lewis, Beverly Murry
- Costumes — Charlotte Tyson
- Costume Assistant — Shelley Davis
- Props — Danielle Posey
- Show Poster/Program Cover — Caitlin Nicholson
- Show Program — Lisa Nicholson
