Jane Eyre in Gainesville

A new production of Gordon & Caird's Jane Eyre. The Musical opens today, October 31, in Gainesville, Florida:

Gainesville Community Playhouse
at The Vam York Theatre

Jane Eyre. A Musical

Follow the classic romantic story of Jane Eyre, a young impoverished governess, who journeys to an isolated English mansion to teach the ward of the estate's enigmatic master, Rochester. The attraction between Jane and Rochester is immediate, but so are Jane's suspicions as she begins to realize that the house and its master harbor a dark secret. True to its source, this is a musical that is stuffed with big emotions - cruelty, despair, courage, forgiveness and, above all, an all-consuming love.

Music, Lyrics & Book by John Caird
Music & Lyrics by Paul Gordon
Directed by Rhonda Wilson Oct. 31 - Nov. 23, 2008
Wednesday - Saturday at 8 p.m.
Sunday at 2 p.m.
Preview Performance Oct. 30 at 8 p.m.
Audition Dates: Sept. 7 and 8 at 7 p.m.

The Gainesville Sun gives more information:

Picture source. Credits: Aaron Daye. Elizabeth Dean, right, who plays Jane Eyre and Ed Mackay, left, who plays Edward Rochester act out a scene in the musical Jane Eyre at the Gainesville Community Playhouse on Thursday, October 23, 2008.

Charlotte Bronte's famous heroine has transcended the pages of dull and dreary Victorian England and transplanted herself on center stage in Gainesville.
The musical adaptation of Bronte's gothic novel "Jane Eyre" opens Friday at the Gainesville Community Playhouse's Vam York Theater. A preview performance will take place tonight.
True to its 19th century origins in classical literature, the musical "Jane Eyre" is a lavish blend of emotions, passion, faith, forgiveness and, most of all, the eternal healing power of an all-consuming love.
Director Rhonda Wilson's said the musical's absorbing story and lyrical score will appeal to audiences.
"The music gives a brighter touch," said director Rhonda Wilson. "The story glows. You can see the musicality in it."
Jane Eyre, a plain-on-the-outside but poignant-on-the-inside orphan, survives a horrific childhood to become governess at Thornfield Hall, an estate steep in a rich tradition of smothering secrets and crazed cackles. Here Jane locks eyes with the biting and thoroughly unpleasant Edward Rochester, her soul mate whose darkest secret just happens, unbeknownst to her, to be sequestered in the attic above.
"It has a happy ending," Wilson assured, "but it takes a bit to get there. On the way, you're drawn into the characters."
Those are the same characters that move effortlessly in and out spoken lines and sung lyrics. The spirit - and the spirituality - of this dark story is captured by turning the original text from the novel into lyrics for the musical.
The cast of characters has taken lessons in linguistics, choreography, formal Waltz, posture and walking in preparation for the upcoming performances.
Actor Edward McKay, who traces his heritage back to Scotland and, accordingly, took naturally to an English accent, plays Rochester in the musical. He said he is drawn to the music and its recurring themes. It's a good thing, too, because he lends his voice to 17 songs in total, solos and ensembles alike.
"The music is fantastic," he said. "This is deep, meaningful stuff people will be singing for years once they get it in their head."
His counterpart is 21-year-old student Elizabeth Dean, who takes on the leading role of Jane Eyre. Although she admits to not having read the novel until after she received the part, Dean has perfected the somber style of her character. And it didn't come easy.
"I think I get to smile twice in the whole thing, an actual smile," she said with a laugh. "That's very hard for me." (Hailey MacArthur)

Categories: Jane Eyre, Music, Theatre