Charlotte Bronte's tale of romance and suspense has been adapted by Alan Stanford and will play the famed regional theatre Sept. 8-Nov. 10 with an official opening Sept. 14.
Directed by John Miller-Stephany, the production will feature Jane at three ages, played by three different actresses. As previously announced, Stacia Rice will play the adult Jane, while Lucy Lawton and Margaret Daly have been cast as, respectively, the 11 and 18-year-old Jane. Sean Haberle will be Edward Rochester.
The cast will also feature Jessie Austrian (Blanche Ingram/Barbara), Jennifer Blagen (Miss Scatcherd/Diana Rivers), Barbara Bryne (Mrs. Fairfax), Caroline Cooney (Leah), Laura Esping (Miss Temple/Mary Rivers), Nathaniel Fuller (Mr. Brocklehurst/Mr. Wood), Peter Christian Hansen (St. John Rivers/Surgeon), Charity Jones (Mrs. Reed/Bertha), Barbara Kingsley (Lady Ingram/Hannah), Ron Menzel (Richard Mason), Peggy O'Connell (Grace Poole), John Skelley (Davie) and Peter Thomson (Lord Ingram/Briggs).
The children's cast will include Makenzie Allen (Georgiana Reed/School Girl), Grace Blevins (Adele), Shane Ellis (John Reed) Shelby Flannery (Helen Burns/School Girl), Alexis Gaither (Girl Pupil #1/School Girl), Hanna Kowalczyk (Orphan/Annie), Mac Rasmus (Broughton Brocklehurst), Amy Schroeder (Orphan/School Girl), Tiara Shockency (Eliza Reed/School Girl) and Caledonia Wilson (Orphan/Marjory).
"Having survived an orphan childhood made painful at the hands of an unkind aunt and a cruel school headmaster," press notes state, "a young Jane Eyre accepts the position of governess to a ward at Thornfield Hall. There, she wins the heart of her employer, Edward Rochester, a kind yet mysterious man. On their wedding day, Jane's love, strength and determination are tested as Rochester's long-kept secrets are unveiled, changing both their lives forever." The artistic staff includes Andrew Cooke (composer), Patrick Clark (set and costume designer), Matthew Reinert (lighting designer), Scott W. Edwards (sound designer), Carla Steen (dramaturg), Lucinda Holshue (voice and dialect coach), Marcela Lorca (movement), Peter Moore (fight director), Chris A. Code (stage manager), Amy Monroe (assistant stage manager) and Suzy Messerole (assistant director).
The Guthrie is located at 818 South 2nd Street (at Chicago Avenue) in downtown Minneapolis. To purchase tickets call (612) 377-2224 or visit www.guthrietheater.org.
