If Music Be the Food of Love

Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley

In Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” Orsino proclaims that “If music be the food of love, play on…” Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon might have been inspired by this quotation for their third, and reportedly final, installment of their Christmas at Pemberley trilogy. Music does, indeed, play an important role in this delightful, romantic story. As in each of their previous plays (“Miss Bennet” and “The Wickhams”) the two playwrights  imagine a Christmastime in 1815 that follows the characters of Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice. For fans of the English writer’s novels about romance and the lives of the late 18th century landed gentry, this latest world premiere will certainly enchant and entertain.

Music became a humorous plot device in their first Jane Austen sequel, “Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley.” Mary, Lizzy’s eccentric, still unmarried sister, escapes her staid life by often, and loudly, practicing the piano at every opportunity. However, through her love of music she sparks the attention of Lord Arthur de Bourgh, Mr. Darcy’s bumbling cousin. Music eventually leads to love and Mary and Lord Arthur find romance. In “TheWickhams: Christmas at Pemberley,” music merely serves as a background as it filters down into the scullery from the Darcy’s drawing room. But in this, the final installment of the trilogy, music almost becomes a supporting character.

This play focuses on Kitty and Georgiana, Lizzy’s unmarried younger sister and Mr. Darcy’s still single sibling. Since their families united with the marriage of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, the two ladies have become close friends. They’ve gathered for Christmas at Pemberley, the luxurious country home of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam. With them, of course, are the other Bennet sisters. Georgiana is an accomplished pianist and composer, much to chagrin of her brother. However, he doesn’t think that it’s proper for a woman, much less a single lady of Georgiana’s status, to appear in public as an entertainer. And therein lies the conflict in this comic drama. 

More friction arises from Georgiana’s secret invitation to her friend, Henry Gray, to join the family at Permberley. He’s a shy, handsome, well-to-do gentleman from London who shares the talented young lady’s passion for music. The two met and became enamored with each other at one of Georgiana’s concerts. Their close relationship developed through a year of devoted letter writing. But when Henry arrives on Boxing Day, along with his close friend Thomas O’Brien, trouble joins the holiday festivities in the form of an undisclosed secret. Mr. Darcy, Georgiana’s over-protective brother, turns into the antagonist and a riff between brother and sister develops that lasts for five years.

Once again, a great-looking, gifted and good-humored cast has been assembled for this final episode of these Jane Austen sequels. As Kitty Bennet, Samantha Newcomb is a fearless, fiery fighter for women’s rights during the Regency Era. Janyce Caraballo, as Georgiana Darcy, makes a fabulous and feisty feminist, looking to strike a blow for her own freedom and women’s independence. Both talented actors are making their Northlight debut with this production, but hopefully audiences will be seeing much more of these exciting actors in future shows. Ms Caraballo is particularly convincing as a pianist, playing the original music that’s been created by composer and sound designer, Christopher Kriz. 

Erik Hellman first appeared in “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley,” playing Mary Bennet’s romantic interest, Lord Arthur de Bourgh. Once again this brilliant young actor is a comic delight, now portraying the handsome, tongue-tied Henry Gray. His romantic chemistry with Ms Caraballo is palpable and the romantic couple truly form the musical heart of this production. Nate Santana’s likable Thomas O’Brien is a man full of energy and always willing to take the bull by the horns. He offers encouragement to his friend to Henry, while capturing the heart and romantic attention of Kitty Bennet.

The other Bennet sisters are all played with plenty of love, grace and good humor. The incomparable Amanda Drinkall returns to Northlight, this time in the role of Elizabeth Darcy. Often reminding this reviewer of actress Laura Linney, Ms Drinkall makes every role she undertakes her very own. She brings sunshine and good humor to Lizzy, especially as she acts as mediator between her feuding husband, Mr. Darcy, and her independent-minded sister-in-law, Georgiana.

Remembered for her almost slapstick performance in the Court Theater’s recent production of “Arsenic and Old Lace,” Emma Jo Boyden is beautiful and decorous as Jane Bingley. As the matron of the family, and currently expecting a child, she wisely offers sisterly advice and good will to one and all. Turning in one of the funniest performances of the evening, Andrea San Miguel is hilarious as Mary Bennet. Still looking a bit drab, but equally discriminating and much more outspoken since being married, Andrea’s Mary continues her love of music and, especially, books. Her character, who’s just returned from South America, is planning to even write her own scientific tome. And Preeti Thaker brings a perpetual party atmosphere to her portrayal of Lydia Bennet. Recently separated from her scoundrel husband, George Wickham, Lydia continues to find every man she encounters a romantic challenge. She flirts with both Thomas and Henry, until she’s warned to leave them alone. Lydia has been assisting a wealthy nobleman with his social affairs, and so love may be in the air again for her. All three actresses are making their Northlight debut. 

Yousof Sultani, also appearing for the first time at Northlight, has the challenge of making Mr. Darcy likable, but at the same time, being the antagonist, providing the conflict in this play. Sultani is a handsome young actor of towering stature who, when he enters the playing area, takes stage without uttering a word. But when he speaks, his booming voice is commanding and his arguments with Georgiana turn into intense verbal battles. The change in Mr. Darcy that occurs in the eleventh hour of the story almost seems too sudden, but it does allow for a happy ending.

Following her directorial debut of “The City of Conversation,” Marti Lyons returns to take the reins of this Jane Austen-inspired sequel. She nicely guides her actors to give honest, well-rounded performances, particularly the two title characters. Jackie and Rick Penrod have designed a new version of the Darcy drawing room that we experienced in the first installment of the play six years ago. It converts seamlessly into Georgiana’s house for 

Act II. The play features appropriate properties by Persephone Lawrence, and is warmly lit by Jason Lynch. Raquel Adorno beautifully costumes her actors in Regency raiments that nicely adapt into outerwear and second act finery. The fashionable Empire ensembles are made even more lovely by wig coordinator Megan E. Pirtle.    

Fans of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and those theatergoers who’ve enjoyed Northlight’s previous stylish and entertaining “Christmas at Pemberley” productions, will adore this third installment of the trilogy. Playwrighting duo Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon once again transport us back to Regency England in this charming comic drama with a feminist theme. Music, as Shakespeare once said, becomes the food of love and brings two lonely hearts together. Blessed with a great script, a splendid cast and directed by an artist who knows how to make the holidays festive and fun, Northlight Theatre offers another wonderful opportunity to spend Christmas at Pemberley.      

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented November 25-December 24 by Northlight Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the North Shore box office, by calling 847-673-6300 or by going to www.northlight.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.