Pride and Prejudice
at Riverside High School

Reviewed on November 30, 2018

Elizabeth DeProspo
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Complete with genteel ballrooms, blossoming romance, and a seriously shrill mother, Riverside High School's production of Pride and Prejudice provided an intimate and entertaining look at the complicated and often emotional process of finding a proper spouse in early 18th century England.

The novel, originally published by pioneer female author Jane Austen in 1813, was adapted into a play by Joseph Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan. The romantic comedy follows Elizabeth Bennett, a young woman who navigates the parties and ballrooms of England along with her myriad of marriage-eligible sisters, occasionally being encouraged (or rather, shoved) toward wealthy potential suitors by her well-meaning mother. Elizabeth soon encounters the suave and reserved Mr. Darcy, but vindictive gossip from other sources and shaky initial interactions with Darcy leave her reluctant to cast aside her prejudices toward him, despite Darcy's wit and genuine connection with her.

Autumn Anderson's portrayal of Elizabeth was rooted in genuine emotion, delivering each line with Elizabeth Bennett's signature combination of strength and passion. Whether making a sharp remark or reacting to the stories of one her sisters, her crisp diction and refined body language ensured that the audience was entranced by her every action. Mr. Darcy's (Jack Gutierrez) proud and reserved disposition melted away as he fell for Elizabeth, revealing a more sensitive side of him that had not been obvious at first glance. Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship was backed with such strong emotions that it felt as though the audience had the opportunity to watch the couple fall in love onstage. In contrast to Elizabeth and Darcy's more genuine attraction, Elizabeth's sleazy cousin, Mr. Collins (Jack Darnell), provided comic relief as he flirted and offended his way through the homes of the upper and middle class families of England.

Although Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's relationship often took center stage, the supporting characters and ensemble members were not to be missed. Mrs. Bennett's (Brigid Randolph) well-timed shrieking and hysterical fits tempered her daughter Elizabeth's more subtle, witty humor. During party or ballroom scenes featuring large groups of people, pairs of ensemble members danced and held realistic conversations in the background, but they enacted their parts silently so as not to pull attention away from the main focus of the scene.

The multilevel set was utilized so each scene flowed easily into the next without being hindered by lengthy scene changes. The simple arrangement of elegant furniture on one side of the stage and open space on the other allowed for the set to easily be used as the Bennett's parlor one minute and a ballroom the next without any distractions.The background lights that demonstrated the time of day by displaying soft oranges or dark blues fit well with the story, while managing not to detract attention from the main focus of the show-- the characters and their relationships and interactions.

Although Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice was written more than 200 years ago, the actors and actresses of Riverside High School brought to life a message that could resonate with anyone, regardless of time period: falling in love is the one process that no sum of money, social status, or family member can stop.

Taegan Pratt
Robinson Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

The students at Riverside High School have reason to be prideful indeed after their spectacularly well done opening performance of Pride and Prejudice on Friday, November 30th. Pride and Prejudice, which ran until the 2nd of December, is a comedic play based off of Jane Austen's classic novel of the same name, adapted by Joseph Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan. The story follows Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters as their rambunctious mother tries to marry them off to rich men. Elizabeth, a clever and independent girl, learns much about the judgment of others as she falls in love with the seemingly arrogant and standoffish Mr. Darcy.

Set in 1811, Pride and Prejudice provided a challenge for both actors and technical workers to produce the illusion of being from that time period. Riverside's cast and crew handled the challenge with grace, authentically recreating the Georgian era on stage.

Controlled body language and impressive English accents demonstrated great care by the actors to maintain the image of high class men and women. Throughout the entire ensemble, actors gave nuanced and skilled performances. Autumn Anderson and Jack Gutierrez (Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy respectively) in particular retained a chemistry on stage, despite their characters icy actions towards one another.

Anderson portrayed Elizabeth with an elegance and poise rarely seen by high school actresses. She was serene and firm, commanding the stage at all times, even mastering scenes with no one but herself so that they would be fascinating and engaging. Additionally, Elizabeth's kind heart shone through her genuine reactions to fellow actors and her ability to liven up a scene with her nearly tangible emotions. Gutierrez, whom she played off well, was a star in his own right. Displaying his dynamic abilities as a capable and honest actor, he showed considerable character growth from Act 1 to Act 2. His overall performance felt real and intense.

In like manner, the supporting actors and actresses tackled their characters with brilliance, making even the smaller roles stand out. Brigid Randolph (Mrs. Bennet) performed with zeal and impeccable comedy. Her over-the top interactions with the other actors were a hilarious contrast to the polite and often reserved interactions between many others in the cast. Michael James Lawless (Mr. Bingley) was a charmer on stage and fit together perfectly with Cailor Macintyre (Jane Bennet), who stole the show in quiet moments. Sophia Grado (Caroline Bingley) was sassy and articulate, and she carried with her an air of poison that quite fit her mean-girl character. All together, the acting in the cast was strong and entertaining.

A highly skilled technical crew supported the powerful cast. The set design utilized every bit of space available, creating a two-layered mansion with historically accurate accents and a feminine touch that enhanced the nature of the show. Furniture was both aesthetic and practical, as it was used by the cast to differentiate locations in a unit set. Cast members were cleverly dressed as maids and moved furniture pieces about the stage during scene changes, making the transitions smooth while keeping the posh environment intact.

To successfully stage a story so loved and well known is a particularly difficult ambition, and yet Riverside High School proved to be completely up to the task. Its production of Pride and Prejudice was a joy for all to watch, pleasing both younger and older audience members, and pulling the entire theatre into Georgian England.

Grace Jenkins
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife," thus, lavish parties commence! Women adorned in satin saunter about while gentlemen in uniform steal longing glances in Riverside High School's playful production of Pride and Prejudice.

The renowned tale of Pride and Prejudice, originally written by Jane Austen in 1813, has been retold countless times: the first being a stage adaptation in 1936 by Helen Jerome, then soon after, in 1938, the first of 17 film adaptations was released. The adaptation by Joseph Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan was first produced in 2009, and has been performed by over a hundred professional theatres, colleges, and high schools since, Riverside High School being one of them.

Pride and Prejudice is the original romantic comedy, focusing on the headstrong Elizabeth Bennet and her capricious relations with the wealthy Mr. Darcy. With a mother pushing for her daughters to be wed, Elizabeth is confronted with several men who she simply does not find agreeable, which quickly leads to family tensions, comically absurd circumstances, and innocently awkward moments.

Whether scrutinizing misogynistic men, worrying over her sisters, or falling under a spell of love, Autumn Anderson portrayed the beloved Elizabeth Bennet with a renewed vigor. Anderson drew in the audience as she commanded the stage through subtle yet precise physicalities. Her counter, Mr. Darcy, was portrayed by Jack Gutierrez. Gutierrez evoked empathy as he fearlessly presented the familiar nervous natures of expressing your affection for another. Jack Darnell played another potential love of Elizabeth's, Mr. Collins. Darnell crafted an entirely new Mr. Collins, performing with intense vitality, controlling each scene for prime comedic moments.

The quirky Bennet family humorously contrasted Elizabeth's tenacious spirit, as they cooperatively surpassed levels of strange. Brigid Randolph presented Mrs. Bennet with commitment to outrageous dynamics, booming stomps, and sprints about the stage. Alexander Footen played Mr. Bennet as a compelling contrast to Mrs. Bennet, as he remains refined and delivers his humor with a precise timing of wittiness. The Bennet daughters, apart from Elizabeth, were Jane (Cailor Macintyre), Lydia (Julie Pesak), Catherine (Madison Chase), and Mary Bennet (Chloe Loufield). The sisters each embodies unique desires and emotions, living each moment with intent.

Elegant columns, velvet couches, and a wooden staircase; each serving to set the tone of the production as details of the overall massive set. The two story piece accurately displayed the curved gathering rooms of early 19th century and decorated it with a soft green with sponge painted designs. Atop the second story, silhouettes from actors protruded from the sunset lighting, creating that familiar image so frequently associated with the show. Adding to the beautiful aura of the show, soft music played throughout the tame moments.

Riverside High School's production of Pride and Prejudice presents the classic story with a revived enthusiasm. Each performer infuses passion into every interaction, drawing the audience into their baffling world of romances. "Is not general incivility the very essence of love?"

Lizzy Maisel
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Now

In the Bennet household, declining any marriage proposal is frowned upon as the opportunity does not come every day. With elegantly executed accents and budding romances, Riverside High School's production of Pride and Prejudice brought audience members into the day-to-day lives of the Bennet family.

Set in England, Jane Austen wrote her well known novel Pride and Prejudice in 1813. Riverside High School's theatrical version of the novel was adapted by Joseph Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan. It was first produced in 2009 and has since been performed by high school and professional theaters around the globe.

The story focuses mainly on Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest of five daughters. Unlike her mother and sisters who are enthralled with the idea of becoming engaged primarily for reasons regarding economic security, Elizabeth vows to wait for engagement until someone she truly loves comes along.

Autumn Anderson completely sold the role of Elizabeth Bennet, portraying her with an appropriately modest and reserved air. Even when she didn't have lines to recite, her facial expressions spoke for her character's thoughts and emotions, such as when she silently read a concerning letter from her sister Jane. Mr. Darcy, portrayed by Jack Gutierrez, bore himself snobbishly in the first act, but then displayed a more affectionate and sweet approach in the second act, altering Elizabeth's views of him. Gutierrez and Anderson's romantic connection was innocent, heartwarming, and entirely believable.

Brigid Randolph received many cackles from the crowd through her portrayal of Mrs. Bennet. Although playing a maternal role, she would throw hilarious tantrums when things didn't go her way. Randolph's commitment to character made her performance much more enjoyable. There to comfort but also playfully tease his wife at any moment was Mr. Bennet, played by Alexander Footen. Both Footen's spoken sarcasm and sympathetic nature reflected his character's love for his wife and daughters. Cailor Macintyre stayed true to Jane Bennet's kindness and gentleness. Macintyre worked with Anderson to establish a clear contrast in their characters' personalities. Riverside's cohesive ensemble displayed a commitment to the time period even in small motions such as bows and curtsies to represent a hello or goodbye.

The decision to incorporate a unit set called for different lighting colors to decipher the time of day. Actors made use of their two-story set in several scenes, but never drew the focus away from dialogue occurring on the first story. Instead of requiring a crew to complete set changes, the servants quickly moved smaller set pieces and props on and offstage in between scenes.

The cast and crew of Riverside High School's Pride and Prejudice produced an endearing work of art. The hardships that transition to happiness throughout the plot echo the idea that everyone deserves to find true love.

Kaitlin Molloy
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Times-Mirror

Many years ago, marriage had little to do with connections between two people's hearts, but rather the connections in society that would be made by the ceremony. Bringing to life the etiquette and elegance of Georgian England, Riverside High School's production of Pride and Prejudice teaches us that when it comes to marriage, love has everything to do with it.

The stage adaptation (by Joseph Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan) of Pride and Prejudice is based on Jane Austen's romantic comedy of the same name, originally published in 1813. Through witty and necessary social commentary, Austen's work earned her acclaim in the Regency Era and continue to enrapture readers centuries later.

Set in the English countryside in 1812, Pride and Prejudice follows the middle-class Bennet family, and their daughters' trials and tribulations with love and marriage. Between their doting mother's fixation with finding suitable husbands for her five daughters, Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. When two eligible bachelors, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley, suddenly move into the countryside, the girl's lives are abruptly disturbed.

The headstrong, empowered Elizabeth Bennet (Autumn Anderson) has no use for the notion of marriage. Anderson portrays an incredible range within the niche character that is Elizabeth, blurring the line between reality and fiction. Her zeal and involvement in the scene, whether it be through short witty remarks, facial expression or her lifelike reactions, enticed audience members. The aristocratic Mr. Darcy (Jack Gutierrez) needs not the sentiment of love. Gutierrez brings depth and quirkiness to the prideful and reserved Mr. Darcy, an often monotonous character. The chemistry between Gutierrez and Anderson stole the show. They created a believable passion and sparks flew throughout the second acting. Gutierrez leaned into this with his awkwardly adorable reunion with Elizabeth.

Overbearing yet doting, Mrs. Bennet (Brigid Randolph) just wants the best for her daughters. With larger than life physicality and exuberant vocal changes, Randolph perfectly encapsulates the mother that is fed up with her daughter's quips about marriage. She displayed impeccably perfect comedic timing and meticulous modulation in her voice when talking to a person she did not particularly care for or if she was in a drunken state at the ball. The entitled Miss Caroline Bingley (Sophia Grado) dislikes the country residing Bennets very much. Her facial expressions and sass towards every character she encounters leave the audience chuckling. Whenever these two were on stage together, the audience was in jubilant laughter for their mutual disdain and snarky comments.

Adding to the elegant air, the technical elements immersed the audience in Georgian England. The unit set (Jackson Anderson) was utilized beautifully and showed stark contrasts between the houses they represented. Effort, time, and research were shown throughout the set down to the semi-circle design to feign an old oval office in England. The use of levels throughout the set added to the already complex set and provided a nice stage picture. Charts and annotations provided by the stage management (Emaan Abassi and Jack Darnell) were organized very clearly and showed the progress made by the tech and actors over the course of the show's rehearsals.

With both amazing acting and technical elements, Riverside's production of Pride and Prejudice is one truly for the books, staying true to its origins. They encourage us to look beyond what prejudice we have about someone and overcome the pride we might possess; you might just fall in love.