In the photo above, Olivia Kennell (left) and Gavin McCarty (right) portray Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in Lima Christian’s production of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice this weekend. In the photo below, Samantha Owens (filling in for Olivia Kennell), Brielle Hammond, Josh Lakra, JoJo Moxon and Sophia Britton during a rehearsal of a scene in Pride and Prejudice several weeks ago. Both photos by Bethany Warsaw
It might be a novel over two centuries old, but Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is still a very popular book with several film adaptations including in 2005.
Lima Christian School students will be bringing the play version of Austen’s novel to life this weekend. The show will be March 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. both nights at Honeoye Falls-Lima High School’s auditorium.
“As this year celebrates Austen’s 250th birthday, we thought it was an appropriate time to produce this iconic work,” said director Bethany Warsaw. “Another reason is that I have always been a big fan of the story since I was in high school. We also produced Newsies as our musical in the fall and that is more male-oriented so I thought this play would be nice since it is more oriented towards girls.”
Cast members for the show are Josh Lakra (Mr. Bennet), Eden Falco (Mrs. Bennet), Brielle Hammond (Jane Bennet), Olivia Kennell (Elizabeth Bennet), Sophia Britton (Mary Bennet), Molly Teitsworth (Lydia Bennet), Gavin McCarty (Mr. Darcy), Caleb Warsaw (Mr. Bingley), Emily Churnetski (Caroline Bingley), David Dils (Mr. Collins), Sam Parks (Mr. Wickham), Owen McCarty (Sir William Lucas and Mr. Gardiner), Rebekah Lakra (Lady Lucas), Phoebe Moxon (Charlotte Lucas), Samantha Owens (Georgiana Darcy and Anne 
De Bourgh), Jenna Warsaw (Lady Catherine De Bourgh), Eden Settle (Mrs. Gardiner), Abigail Dils (Mrs. Reynolds) and DJ Brookins (Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Denny).
Bringing such a novel to the stage presents challenges.
“One of the biggest is that the language is different than how we speak today,” Warsaw stated. “The students initially had a hard time learning the lines. I encouraged them to watch the film and there are also videos on YouTube they could learn from and they listened to the audiobook to get an idea of how people spoke back then. Another challenge is that people did not do a lot back then; there was a lot more talking and dancing. It is a contrast to the musical we did in December, Newsies, which was high-energy and that same kind of energy needs to be present for this show so it doesn’t seem boring.”
The play is pretty close to the novel; although there are obviously some things left out due to time constraints. The story is mainly about Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates societal pressures, family and romance in England during the Napoleonic Wars. She has to overcome her initial prejudice against the wealthy, reserved Mr. Darcy, whose own pride must be humbled before they fall in love.
“The students have really embraced the story,” Warsaw said. “We spent a lot of time character-building and talked about the time period.”
McCarty, a senior, will be in his 12th production at Lima Christian School.
“I love the story and a year or two ago watched the 2005 film with my mom,” he said. “What intrigued me is the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy and how they first disliked each other and how they grew to love each other. The sheer number of lines and how people spoke back then is a challenge but getting this role has been so cool. Olivia and many other members of the senior class are in the show and it has been powerful to do this show with them.”
The show is two-and-a-half hours long. Tickets are $10 adults and $8 for students and can be purchased at the school office, at the door or online at https://seatyourself.biz/limachristian.
