Yesterday
we posted a review of a Pittsburgh production of Jane Eyre: The musical.
Another production of Paul Gordon's musical opens today, November 3, in Baltimore, Maryland, US:
DUNDALK COMMUNITY THEATRE: Jane Eyre: The Musical
The Community College of Baltimore County
Dundalk Community Theatre opens its season with a Baltimore Premiere of the musical adaptation of Jane Eyre. DCT, in cooperation with the Fine, Performing and Communication Arts Department of the Liberal Arts Division, CCBC, presents this limited engagement from November 3rd through November 12th, with performances Friday & Sat. at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm.
Jane Eyre: The Musical a Tony-nominated show from 2000 features a score by Paul Gordon, who has previously composed hit music recorded by artists such as Bette Midler, Amy Grant, Smokey Robinson, Quincy Jones, and Patti LaBelle; as well as two number one pop hits, “Next Time I Fall in Love” and “Friends and Lovers”. The show is filled with soaring melodies and a romantic lyricism uncommon in the modern Broadway musical… a sweeping love story, breath-taking in its scope and beauty.
Jane Eyre is a haunting retelling of the Charlotte Bronte classic about an orphan girl who grows up to become the governess of Thornfield Hall. There she meets and falls in love with the enigmatic Edward Rochester, an Earl with a dark secret. Having overcome the obstacles brought on by an abusive childhood, the death of a childhood friend and the prejudice inherent in a relationship between two people socially worlds apart, Jane marries Rochester. Her wedding day is marred when she discovers his secret: he already has a wife, a half-crazed lunatic hidden in the attic…
Director Nancy Powichroski has gathered a wonderful cast including: Ken Ewing as Rochester, Andrea Smith as Jane, Kathryn Smith as Mrs. Fairfax, Julia Unitas as Young Jane and Kim Willes as Blanche Ingram. Set Designer Marc Smith continues working his magic with a set allowing the show to flow from scene to scene as the show calls.
November 3, 4, 10, 11, 2006 at 8pm
November 5, 12, 2006 at 3pm
Categories: Theatre, Music, Jane Eyre
Rarely am I inspired to write about a show but this one is special. I have seen many community theater productions but this Baltimore premier of Jane Eyre, the Musical is fantastic. Nancy Powichroski, Director, did a wonderful job telling this Victorian romance story. The casting is almost perfect. It is hard to belief the level of talent in one show. While it would be a long read to highlight all the great performers there are several that deserve special comments. Andrea Smith plays Jane Eyre. She delivers a very compelling performance. Andrea’s voice has wide range and does a superb job delivering the many emotional songs. Ken Ewing is Edward Rochester who is the master of Thornfield Hall. Ken has a beautiful rich voice. He portrays Rochester as a light hearted but stern master. He shows the many sides of Rochester brilliantly. Julia Unitas plays young Jane and Adele. She makes you sad as Jane and laugh as Adele. This child is headed to Broadway. Look out Broadway!! Kim Wiles plays the high society Blanche Ingram. Her over the top performance of Finer Things is perfect. What a magnificent voice. I can’t imagine anyone else playing the role of household master than Kathryn Smith. She has several difficult songs and sings them very nicely. The rest of the cast does a wonderful job supporting this romantic tale. I have a tie for the best supporting role. First are the beautiful sets & costumes and the second is the orchestra under the Tim Viets’ direction. This is a must see show. It sets the new musical standard of Community Theater in Baltimore.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your fabulous review! It does sound like a good production. Hopefully many people will be lucky enough to attend :)
ReplyDeleteRoland Park Country School is also producing Jane Eyre Nov. 17-19. This independent day school always has professional quality productions.
ReplyDeleteThank you ! We already had scheduled a post about the production that will appear on Friday, but we are very grateful to anybody that provide us with information... So, again, thank you !
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