12-02-2024 11:02am

Austen Play Live

THE WICKHAMS:
CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY

A charming holiday tale that explores the confines of class and the generosity of forgiveness.

The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley
by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon
Directed by Jalice Ortiz-Corral
December 6-22

In this delightful companion play to Miss Bennet, Gunderson and Melcon once again bring Austen’s beloved characters to the stage for a yuletide sequel to Pride and Prejudice. While Miss Bennet depicted the newly wed Darcys’ Christmas gathering on the ground floor of Pemberley, THE WICKHAMS takes audiences to the downstairs servants’ quarters for that same celebration.

Mrs. Reynolds, a no-nonsense housekeeper; Cassie, an eager new maid; and Brian, a lovesick footman, are bustling with preparations for holiday guests. But their work is interrupted by the midnight arrival of the definitely not invited Mr. Wickham—Lydia’s rogue of a husband and Mr. Darcy’s sworn enemy.

The Strand Theater Company champions challenging and provocative theater that especially celebrates women's diverse voices and perspectives while bringing together the creative talents of all genders as artists, technicians, and administrators. We invite patrons to experience some of the region's best contemporary and reinterpreted works for the stage in our intimate midtown theater in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Strand is happy to introduce Neva Keuroglian Sullivan, playing Cassie - the new housemaid at Pemberley. Cassie is a village girl and an orphan, who came from less than nothing. The opportunity to work at Pemberley means security she has never had, and she takes this job very seriously. She is sometimes maybe too eager and a bit headstrong.

NEVA KEUROGLIAN SULLIVAN (Cassie) is thrilled to make her Strand Theater debut in The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley! Neva is a graduate of Michigan State University and holds a BA in Theater Performance. Some favorite recent credits include Ariel in Little Mermaid (RMT), Pennywise in Urinetown (2nd Star), Bea in Something Rotten (2nd Star), and Heidi in [title of show] (Spotlighters). She would like to thank her friends and family for their kindness and support over the years, and for constantly reminding her to keep the first things first: "Confidence and Preparation."Tickets for The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley are going fast!! Get yours here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=stran

Meet Jessica Adcock, playing Mrs. Reynolds, the unflappable housekeeper of Pemberley, who sees all, knows all, and is a mother figure to the household. See Jessica shine on the Strand stage in the upcoming production of The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley.

Tickets are going fast: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=stran

BIO: "Jessica is very excited about making her debut at the Strand Theater. Growing up in Washington DC and attending Duke Ellington School of the Arts, she has performed on many stages, including Alaska, Antigua and NYC.

She was recently nominated for Best Actress for her role in the film The Last Supper, and won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film Standing Strong in Faith. I would like to thank my mom for all the sacrifice and love you have given me and running lines with me in every project I do, my family for supporting me and to my loving husband, thank you all for the support and long nights you waited up for me to get home safe, I love you. Lastly , honor and praise goes to you God, thank you father for giving me this gift and allowing me to use it, I'm forever grateful . I love you all, thank you."

MEET MR WICKHAM We are delighted to introduce you to one of the title characters of our production, George Wickham, as well as the actor playing the role - Omololu Collins! We can not wait for you to meet George at the Strand, starting December 6, and we hope you've got your tickets: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=stran"George Wickham is a fictional character created by Jane Austen, who appears in her 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice.

George Wickham is introduced as a militia officer who has a shared history with Mr. Darcy. Wickham's charming demeanor and his story of being badly treated by Darcy attracts the sympathy of the heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, to the point that she is warned by her aunt not to fall in love and marry him. It is revealed through the course of the story that George Wickham's true nature is that of a manipulative unprincipled layabout, a ne'er-do-well wastrel, compulsive liar and a degenerate, compulsive gambler, a seducer and a libertine, living the lifestyle of a rake.

Lacking the finances to pay for his lifestyle, he gambles regularly [...] and cons credit from tradesmen and shopkeepers and skips out on paying-up.Lydia Bennet, at fifteen [...] falls madly in love while [she and Wickham] are in Brighton, to the point of agreeing to accompany him when he flees the regiment for not paying his debts of honour.

She refuses to leave him, insensitive to the collateral damage the scandal will cause to her family, but he only marries her in desperation, negotiating the terms with Darcy who uses his connections and his fortune to procure Wickham a position, and save Lydia's respectability."

Source: Wikipedia. OMOLOLU 'LOLU' COLLINS is SUPER excited to be coming back for his third show at The Strand Theater (I know Strand Theatre hate to see me coming lol). His last performance was in the production of Black Superhero Magic Mama (BSHMM). It has been an amazing time working on this production with such an amazing and talented cast and crew! I hope y'all are entertained.

BUY TICKETS

A very special offer for our patrons! Are you attending The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley? Plan to get dinner before the show? You are in luck! Our gracious neighbors at @silverqueencafe are offering 15% off your check, with the proof of same day ticket purchase.

IMPORTANT: Advance reservations are required to guarantee seating. The offer is valid for dine-in dinner service only, and the proof of ticket(s) purchased for the same day performance is required (print or display on your phone). Please mention that you are attending a performance to the staff at the start of your meal, to make sure you are served in a timely manner and do not miss the show. Silver Queen Cafe: https://www.silverqueencafe.com/