Buffalo Theatre Ensemble presents Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley now through Dec. 21 at the MAC
- Natalia Dagenhart
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
The final chapter in Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon’s holiday trilogy is presented at the MAC now through Sunday, Dec. 21.
“Since this moment on, I will not be quiet,” says Georgiana at the end of the first act of Georgiana and Kitty. Buffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE) presents the third installment of the Christmas at Pemberley trilogy, a story that reveals themes of love, societal norms, sisterhood, and personal growth. Our favorite characters from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice return for a third and final installment of this warm and inspiring story.
Directed by BTE Ensemble Member and Managing Artistic Director Emerita Connie Canaday Howard, Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley is presented now through Sunday, December 21 at the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn. There is no show on Thursday, November 27, and there is an added 3 p.m. matinee Saturday, November 29. There is an ASL performance at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, December 11.
If you have seen both Miss Bennet and The Wickhams during the Ensemble’s past two seasons, which are the first two plays in the trilogy by playwrights Gunderson and Melcon, you will definitely enjoy attending this production. And even if you have never seen the first two parts of this trilogy, you will find Georgiana and Kitty to be a complete, delightful, and encouraging story.
“Though each script has focused on family, both by birth and chosen, on honor and honesty, and on loving one another through this journey of life, as does Georgiana and Kitty, for me, this final installment in the trilogy is about coming into your own true self,” wrote Managing Artistic Director Emerita Connie Canaday Howard in the Director’s Note. “It’s about insisting on being seen, heard, and valued by those who matter to you, as well as the world as a whole.”
The final installment of the Christmas at Pemberley series follows Mr. Darcy’s younger sister, Georgiana, and the youngest Bennet sister, Kitty, who are good friends. When Henry Grey, who loves Georgiana and who is also admired by her, arrives, he is met by the unwelcoming presence of Mr. Darcy, Georgiana’s older brother who thinks he has the right to control his sister’s life for her own good.
The love between Georgiana and Henry goes through multiple difficulties and challenges; both become more mature and prepared to meet again in five years, when finally, each of them is ready to enter this relationship. Henry finds a way to get out of poverty by starting his own publishing company, and Georgiana learns how to speak up, realize her dreams, and reveal to the world her talent for composing! Her skills are revealed through the Society of Women Musicians, and Kitty is the one who helps her to realize her dream. Eventually, two young women forge their own way in a Christmas season tale filled with music, ambition and sisterhood. And, certainly, their sisters and friends are there for them to show support and bring joy and laughter!
Certainly, the BTE’s amazing cast is greatly loved by the audience. They make you laugh, think, wonder, grieve, and celebrate. Their work as an ensemble of talented actors is brilliant and remarkable.
Three actors featured in previous BTE’s Pemberley productions are back. They include Paige Klopfenstein as Mrs. Darcy, a role she played in BTE’s two previous Pemberley productions; Charlotte Foster as Jane Bingley, a role she played in BTE’s initial Miss Bennet production; and BTE’s newly named Associate Artistic Director Daniel Milhouse as Thomas O’Brien, who was featured as Arthur de Bourgh in BTE’s Miss Bennet and George Wickham in BTE’s The Wickhams productions.
The cast also features Olivia Finkelstein as Georgiana Darcy, Ksa Curry as Kitty Bennet, Paige Klopfenstein as Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy, Leela Watts as Lydia Wickham, Charlotte Foster as Jane Bingley, Elexis Selmon as Mary Bennet, Peter Alfano as Henry Grey, Daniel Milhouse as Thomas O’Brien, Henry’s friend, and Keenan Odenkirk as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Aly Greaves Amidei, who received a Jeff Award for her “Miss Bennet” costumes and costumed last year’s production, returns to costume design for Georgiana and Kitty. Christopher Kriz, who provided sound design for BTE’s first two works in the trilogy, returns to provide sound design for BTE’s production of the final installment of the trilogy.
The design team includes Richard Penrod and Jacqueline Penrod (Scenic Design), Aly Greaves Amidei (Costume Design), Garrett Bell (Lighting Design), Christopher Kriz (Composer and Sound Design) and Paloma Locsin (Properties Design). Stage Manager is Caitlin I. Quinn. Assistant Stage Manager is Chris Yee. Harry Smith is Student ASM (BTE Scholar).
This play reminds us of things that seem basic to us now but that were not that obvious during the time when the original story was written. In the play, you will hear phrases like a woman with a purpose, music is a universal language, together there is nothing we can’t do, and many more. Today women still learn how to find their place in society. We can do everything – create, compose, build and make this world better. And it will stay this way.
Tickets are $45. For tickets or more information visit https://atthemac.org/events/georgiana-and-kitty-christmas-at-pemberley/ or call 630-942-4000. The Box Office is open noon – 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and two hours prior to performance. Please note that this play contains adult themes and language.
Natalia Dagenhart
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