Prejudice & Pride opens Off-Broadway July 18. Previews began July 13 for the run at 59E59 Theaters, where the American musical spin on Jane Austen's classic romance plays a limited run through August 20. The new work features a book by Sam Wright and Nicholas Collett, music and lyrics by the former and direction by the latter.
In Wright and Collett's new musical version of the love story between Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, the title isn't the only thing that's being switched around. Prejudice & Pride follows the Longborn boys who have to marry rich when they can't find work to save their family farm in East Tennessee. Their prospects look to be turning around when "a young single woman in possession of a good fortune" moves in next door, and tagging along is the absurdly rich songstress Darcy Fitzwilliams. But Bennett Longborn isn't impressed and, no matter how desperate he is, can't imagine ever wooing her.
The cast stars Tim Ahlenius, Chris Arnone, Bridget Casad, PT Mahoney, Chris Owen, Margaret Shelby, Stefanie Stevens, Franci Talamantez-Witte, and Sam Wright. Mark Hamblin plays bass with Chris Hudson on guitar.
Featuring 15 original songs composed on banjo and developed with folk band Gullywasher, Prejudice & Pride features scenic design by Wright, costume design by Lauren Long, lighting design by Jen Leno, and sound design by Jeff Eubank. Stefanie Stevens serves as choreographer, with Kevin Bogan as music director.
The Prejudice & Pride original album is available for streaming on Spotify and YouTube.
Visit 59E59.org.
