Set build for Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley

Posted on by Thor

I went to the Orlando Shakes scenic shop to watch the set build for Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon. Jeff Ferree with his unicorn, hotdog, and patriotic popsicles shirt,was busy populating several book shelves. The shelves needed books and he realized there was plenty of left over styrofoam in the shop, so he decided to create the book using the foam rather than getting a whole lot of heavy books. Once the book forms were cut they then needed to be sanded and the ridge of the binding needed to be added. In the background, Hannah Kleinpeter, was sanding consistently as I sketched. I actually started my sketch with her since she was so focused on the task at hand. All the cutting and sanding had to be interrupted for a while when the theater next door filled up with students excited to see a show.

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley will light up your holiday season. It is
a touching romantic comedy with a gorgeous set with lots of custom books. Jane Austen’s quick wit and lively humor are
preserved in this Pride and Prejudice sequel. All your favorites, Lizzy,
Mr. Darcy, Jane, Lydia, and especially Mary Bennet have gathered for Christmas.
Awkward and bookish, Mary had been written off as a spinster, but when a
curious visitor comes for the holiday, Mary blossoms, finding a kindred spirit
who challenges her intellect and just may capture her heart. Can Mary become
the heroine of her own destiny? Could this mean independence for the dutiful
middle sister? The delightful love story unfolds like a Christmas card for
Austen devotees and newbies alike. 

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley runs through December 29, 2019.

Orlando Shakes in the Margeson
Theater

John and Rita Lowndes
Shakespeare Center

812 East Rollins Street,
Orlando, FL 32803

Ticket Information:

Wednesdays – Saturdays
at 7:30 p.m. and every Sunday and select Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. – starting at
$30.  Preview Performances and
Senior Matinees – starting at $20.

CAST

Mary Bennet: Kristin
Shirilla

Arthur de Bourgh:
Cameron Francis

Elizabeth Darcy : Lauren
Culver

Fitzwilliam Darcy: Brett
D. Waldon

Jane Bingley: Samantha
Potak

Charles Bingley: Preston
Ellis

Lydia Wickham: Brandy
Bell

Anne de Bourgh: Jillian
Gizzi

CREATIVE TEAM

Director: Anne Hering

Scenic Designer: Chris McKinney

Lighting Designer: Larry Rodriguez

Costume Designer: Howard Vincent Kurtz

Sound Designer: Britt Sandusky

Lighting Design Assistants: Sierra Goins,
Kelsey Monteith, Joe Gugliuzza, and Levi Roberts

AEA Stage Manager: Paige Gober

Ada and the Engine at Playfest.

Posted on by Thor

Prior to the rehearsal for Ada and the Engine all the actors sat at a conference table in the Orlando Shakespeare Theater with director David Lee for a Skype video conference with the playwright Lauren Gunderson. Lauren, who lives in San Francisco has been writing plays for years and recently has been getting rave reviews. David pointed out that she has resisted the pull of both LA and NYC. There were technical glitches getting the Skype conference started, having to do with audio and it was finally resolved by ignoring the digital tech and using an analog phone.

Each actor in turn got to ask Lauren a question about the play that they had been rehearsing. Lauren reminded us that a story should involve not just the conflict of separation or failed relationships, but also the revelations and excitement that comes from true discovery. The play is about Ada, a young strong willed and very intelligent woman who had a mind for mathematics at a time when women were only known for their abilities to win a man and raise children. Her mother, Lady Byron, had every intention of seeing that she followed the norms of the day. However when Ada meets mathematician Charles Babbage, they discover a true affinity in the power of numbers and the possibility of an analytical computing machine that could solve extremely complicated mathematical problems. Their excited revelations are the basis of the first computers that used punch cards to store data. Ada’s vision of the future of this machine even went on to imagine a machine that could compose music. She envisions a whole new world where art and information converge. A
world she might not live to see.

Although it is clear that Ada and Charles are soul mates, they never become involved since she was so much younger than he was. She ends up marrying a Mr. Lovelace who is handsome and a good dancer, but his vision of her responsibilities certainly limited her future in math and science.

This was a story of love,
friendship, and dreams of the future. It is refreshing and exciting to see a play in which two geniuses inspire each other. In an age where pop culture only celebrates sports figures and celebrities, this play celebrates inspiration and ingenuity, which should always be at the heart of the American Dream.

Playfest offers seven new plays over two weekends.

Tickets for “Ada and the Engine”

By Lauren Gunderson are $10

John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center

812 E Rollins St, Orlando, Florida 32803

Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 8 p.m.

PLAYFEST SPECIAL EVENTS

PlayFest Party!

Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Buffet dinner provided by Bubbalou’s Bodacious BBQ.

Saturday, November 4, 2017 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Buffet dinner provided by Spoleto – My Italian Kitchen.

Join the featured PlayFest 2017 playwrights and actors for an
exclusive PlayFest Party inside the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare
Center. Tickets ($12) for the PlayFest Party can be added onto your
PlayFest 2017 tickets online at www.orlandoshakes.org,
by phone at (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, or in person at the John and Rita
Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street). Only 60 slots per
PlayFest Party available.