Jane Austen’s
”
Emma
”
was her fourth novel, published in three parts a year before she
died at the early age of 41. Director Robert Kelly has given us a
gift by collaborating with writer, composer, lyricist Paul Gordon
and creating a story with lovely words and music.
Jane Austen’s “Emma” was her fourth novel, published in three parts a year before she died at the early age of 41. Director Robert Kelly has given us a gift by collaborating with writer, composer, lyricist Paul Gordon and creating a story with lovely words and music. Austen would be pleased. Kelly’s direction is delicate and as usual flawless, he is a master of his craft. His actors deliver performances that he sculpts with the genius of Rodin.
Emma’s character is a sassy young woman of the 1800s, of means and station with an independent nature that feels she has to be the ultimate matchmaker of her time. She makes Yentle from Fiddler on the Roof look like a humble nun from the Sound of Music with an English accent. The extremely talented Lianne Marie Dobbs gives Emma life and delivers the songs and delectable dialogue with an energy that seems to go to infinity.
Timothy Gulan as the elegant Mr. Knightly plays off of Dobbs’ Emma like a well-tuned Mercedes. He has a smooth tenor that fills all the corners of the theatre.
The delightful Dani Marcus as the befuddled Harriet Smith is a joy with perfect timing and lovely voice. Harriet Smith is a role that could have become a characture but Marcus makes us feel for her throughout the production.
The casting of all characters is perfection rounded out with Musical Director William Libertore’s string quartet. Fumiko Bielefeld’s costumes are detailed and well executed. Steven B. Mannshardt’s lighting and Joe Ragey’s sets are right on mark.
As usual, TheatreWorks delivers an elegant first-rate production.
“Emma” is TheatreWorks 50th World Premier in its 38-year history. Founded by Artistic Director Robert Kelly in 1970 TheatreWorks has brought the ultimately best in theatre to our area.
For an evening of delightful, captivating theatre at its best, “Emma” has it all.
