Jane Eyres in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin

Two new high school Jane Eyre productions in the US open today, April 28 (although the Lexington Production seems to have had a preview last Tuesday):
1.  In Lexington, PA:

Lexington Christian Academy's Acting in the Spaces presents
Jane Eyre
Adapted by Robert Johanson
Director Karen Kuehne and  Shaina Sullivan.

Tuesday, April 26 7:00pm
Thursday & Friday, April 28 & 29 7:00pm
Saturday, April 30 2:00pm

Quakertown Christian School
50 E. Paletown Road, Quakertown, PA

We are pleased to announce our spring 2011 production of Jane Eyre. This selection is in keeping with our goal to present a variety of dramatic literary pieces to our audience members and thereby continue to challenge our students to grow in the area of communication skills. This production is based on the classic by Charlotte Brontë and dramatization by Robert Johanson (special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, IL).

Montgomery Media has more information:

“Quite honestly, when we selected [Jane Eyre] we were not aware it was coming out as a movie,” Kuehne said. “The same thing happened with ‘Pride and Prejudice.’” (...)
“It was a lot of fun,” Kuehne said. “We got a lot of real positive audience response.”This year, however, Kuehne decided to go in a different direction. “Jane Eyre” is a more serious piece that offers unique challenges but also carries a positive message, Kuehne said.
Besides being considered one of the top five English classics, “Jane Eyre” offers the opportunity for special stage effects, including fog machines to replicate the misty British moor. (Erin DuBois)

2. In Appleton, WI:

The Appleton East Patriot Players present
Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre
Adapted by Robert Johanson
Technical director Michael Traas
Artistic director Debra Weiher-Traas

Charlotte Brontë's magnificent Gothic love story is brought to stirring life. In the burned-out ruins of Thornfield Hall, the adult Jane Eyre recalls the disturbing events of her childhood and young adulthood: her miserable upbringing as an orphan thrust upon unsympathetic relatives, her trials at the infamous Lowood School, and eventually her acceptance as governess at Thornfield Hall where she encounters its enigmatic master, Edward Rochester. Jane eventually unravels the secrets of this mysterious place and finds her own personal epiphany through honesty, courage and sacrifice. A moving story for all times and a stunning portrayal of one of the world's greatest heroines.

Performances
7:30 pm Thursday, April 28th 2011
7:30 pm Friday, April 29th 2011
2:00 pm Saturday, April 30th 2011
7:30 pm Saturday, April 30th 2011

The Appleton Post-Crescent has more information:

"The action moves quickly from scene to scene as this script, which was adapted from the novel by Robert Johanson, is the most complete version of the novel that we have found, with 25 scenes that move from her childhood to the moment that she finally reunites with a tempered Rochester," Traas said.
The cast includes 30 Appleton East students and 25 girls from the community's elementary schools.
"Shortly after we made the decision to produce 'Jane Eyre,' we found out that a new movie version of the book was being released this spring," Traas said. "So the appeal for this literature is still quite high. In fact we had found out as we were auditioning young girls for the parts of Little Jane, Helen and Adele that many of these 9- to 11-year-olds had already read this novel, which is still required reading for many high school students. The story is an epic, tragic love story that still stirs emotions."
Senior McKenzie Bell, who plays the title role, said the show offers a challenge.
"I think the context of the literature that we're performing is difficult, and I think when doing a beautiful show like this, you really have to work hard to do it justice," she said. "Overcoming past challenges to create your own happiness and to do what makes you happy is really kind of the story of (Jane Eyre's) life." (Kara Patterson)

Categories: Jane Eyre, Theatre