Season 13: Plays & Musicals
December 1 - 19, 2021
MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY
by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon
DIRECTED BY SASHA BRÄTT
A sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice set two years after the novel ends, MISS BENNET continues the story, only this time with bookish middle-sister Mary as its unlikely heroine. Mary is growing tired of her role as 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.
“…a perfectly constructed love story…Given its fizzy comedy, sweet spirit and clean structure, [MISS BENNET] seems destined to populate future holiday seasons…”
San Francisco Chronicle“…an unstuffy, highly entertaining and warm-spirited work, the kind of thing multiple generations can enjoy together.”
Chicago Tribune
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COVID-19 Policy: All patrons must be fully vaccinated. Vaccination card, government issued ID, and masks are required for all patrons.
Performance Schedule
Previews (December 1 & 2)
Wednesday at 7:30pm
Thursday at 2:00pm and 7:30pm
Regular Performances (December 3 - 19)
Friday at 8:00pm
Saturday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm
Sunday at 2:00pm
Tuesday at 2:00pm
Wednesday at 7:30pm
Thursday at 7:30pm
TALK BACK with the cast after the Sunday matinee performances.
COSTUME NIGHT
Friday, December 17th during the 8pm performance. Come to the show wearing your finest Jane Austen-inspired costume! Winners will be chosen during intermission, and prizes will be given.
RIVER BEND BOOKSHOP
The River Bend Bookshop will be on-site with a pop-up shop during the run of MISS BENNET. The shop will be filled with classic novels, Jane Austen-themed gifts, and holiday cheer for the entire family. 20% of proceeds will be donated to Playhouse on Park.
JANE AUSTEN BIRTHDAY TEA BOXES
December is Jane Austen's birth month! We are offering a special gift box in honor of her birthday; it will be on sale throughout the run of the show for $30. Each box includes an antique tea cup & saucer, tea spoon, non-perishable treats, and more! Purchase it for a loved one, or for yourself to enjoy this holiday season!
SECOND ACT BOUTIQUE: CURIOSITIES FROM PLAYHOUSE PAST!
Great for holiday gifts, this boutique will be open during box office hours and before/during each performance.
BOOK DRIVE
Donate a NEW Book for HANOC’s Homework Program December 1st - 23rd Books for Children & Teens Only In conjunction with MISS BENNET, we are hosting a book drive to benefit The Hillcrest Area Neighborhood Outreach Center's (HANOC) Homework Program.
New books for children and teens should be dropped off to the Playhouse on Park box office any time between December 1st - 23rd. Bring your donation between 10am - 6pm Mon-Fri, 10am - 2pm Saturday or when you attend a performance of “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley”. For more information about HANOC click here.
Artists
Laura Axelrod (Lydia) Playhouse on Park Debut! Atlantic Theater Company: Jennifer, THE BIG ONE OH!; Hartford Stage: Flying Apparition A CHRISTMAS CAROL; The Monomoy Theatre: Celia AS YOU LIKE IT, Fredrika A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, Raymonde A FLEA IN HER EAR. Graduated: BFA in Actor Training at The Hartt School. Mom and Dad, Sarah, Jared, and the Starkeys deserve more love than I can ever give them. I hope you have so much fun with us tonight! lauraaxelrodactor.com // @lauraxelrod
Kristin Fulton (Jane) Playhouse on Park Debut! The Weasel Festival at The Public: 1981 THE SHES; Chorus TONGUE DEPRESSOR; 59E59: Avra THE BRIEFLY DEAD; Judson Theatre Company: Viney THE MIRACLE WORKER; Dixon Place: Condoleezza Rice/Actor 2 AUTOPORTRAIT; Twelve Miles West: Saloon Girl/Kate (u/s) WILD OATS. Kristin has an MFA in Acting from Brooklyn and founded Kapital K Productions. She also teaches speech at The City College of New York. www.KristinSFulton.com.
Ted Gibson (Arthur) Playhouse on Park Debut! The Chain Theatre: Elijah DEAD BABIES; University Musical Society: Bernard DEATH OF A SALESMAN; The University of Michigan: Edward SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, Dennis THIS IS OUR YOUTH. Ted is a Graduate from the University of Michigan’s Theatre + Drama Department. Thanks to the cast and crew of this production for their hard work, to Mom and Dad for their endless love and support, and to you for coming out and supporting live theatre!
Dakota Mackey-McGee* (Elizabeth) Playhouse on Park Debut! NYC New Works Reading: Young Marina OSWALD THE MUSICAL; Gretna Theatre: Nancy OLIVER; Arrow Rock Lyceum: Meg CRIMES OF THE HEART. In honor of this production Dakota is making a donation to Girls On The Run, a non-profit working to build physical and emotional strength in young girls during their formative years. Big Thanks to my agents at Wolf Talent Group. Love to Mom and J.
Karim Nematt (Bingley): Playhouse on Park Debut!; Schimmel Center: Leontes THE WINTERS TALE; St Paul’s Theatre: Macbeth MACBETH. Attended Pace University School of Performing Arts (2019). Absolutely buzzing to work with the folks at Playhouse on Park.
Moira O’Sullivan (Anne de Bourgh): Playhouse on Park: Carol OLEANNA. Off-Broadway: 59E59 Theaters: Charlotte BENEATH THE GAVEL; Regional: Ivoryton Playhouse: Rowena BILOXI BLUES, Violet IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY, Miss Glace CONEY ISLAND CHRISTMAS, Player One AN ACTOR’S CAROL; Seven Angels Theater: Kari ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID; TV: Homicide City, Deadline Crime with Tamron Hall, Celebrity Ghost Stories. BFA NYU Tisch, UCB Comedy. Host of the podcast Back in Town. www.moiraosullivan.com
Sydney Torres (Mary) Playhouse on Park Debut! Seacoast Rep: Morales A CHORUS LINE; Florida Rep: Juliet ROMEO & JULIET, Jackie HAY FEVER, Tania u/s NATIVE GARDENS; Berkshire Theatre Group: Ethel THE MUSIC MAN; Dyanne u/s MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET. BFA Musical Theatre Emerson College. Many thanks to Sasha, Sean, & Darlene. Love to Mom, Dad, Zack, Roger, Don, Fred, Grandpa, & Dyl. For Grandma, Evie, & Liz, who lived large lives, & for Jess, my Austen queen. www.sydneytorres.com IG:@sydneymtorres
Sasha Brätt (Director) Playhouse on Park: ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914, TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, THE REVISIONIST, THE DINING ROOM, and OTHELLO, Director of New Works; Director or Assistant Director: Woolly Mammoth Theater Company, Folger Shakespeare Theatre, Shakespeare and Company, Ivoryton Playhouse, Seven Angels Theatre.
* The Actor appears through the courtesy of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
