Emma, adapted from the novel by Jane Austin, by Kate Hamill is a farce through and through! A delight, as such, in the hands of members of the Everyman Theatre repertory company. It was Everyman doing what Everyman does best--having fun together and inviting the audience along for the ride. In this production, it was even more apparent as the "fourth wall" was breathed throughout the play to great comedic effect.
If you've read "Emma," then you know that it's as delightful a rom com of miss-matched manners, mixed up lovers, and an "All's Well That Ends Well" finale, as anything starring Tom Hanks or Meg Ryan. The powerhouse providing the energy that moves the entire creation forward is, of course, Emma. In the more than able hands of Kate Kleiger, the laughter and excitement felt inevitable. There was never a moment when I found myself outside of the party looking in. Inspired by her vim, the rest of the cast, some playing multiple roles, made sure our seat belts were buckled and our hands were safely inside of the play at all times. Especially enjoyable were the many roles played by Zack Powell who avoided as if magically whiplash as he jumped from Mr. Elton, to Frank Churchill, to Robert Martin. When an actor is having such cheeky fun, you can't help but feel it, too. Megan Anderson's multiple roles proved even more challenging for their very un-alike personalities which only proved her powers as an actor. Finally, there was one role that wasn't played by a member of the company. Nia Zagami took on the part of the hapless Harriet Smith, a recent graduate of Mrs. Bates finishing school. She was wonderful in the role going from the tongue tied misfit to a young woman who discovered her voice and her true love.
The Costumes were beautiful, hats off to David Burdick for their design. The set was luscious and transformed from scene to scene with a few key furniture moves and a sliding wall or two. Compliments to Daniel Ettinger.
IF only they had a parking garage, it would have been a very nearly perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon.
The play begins with Emma (Kate Kleiger) presenting to the audience her most recent match-making success: Mrs. (Beth Hylton) and Mr. (Jefferson A. Russell) Weston.
And no sooner does her assertion of being the greatest match-maker in the dell fall under repute from George Knightly (Tony Nam) here childhood bestie and longtime sparring partner.
Jefferson A. Russell as Mr. Woodhouse, Emma's father who has a rather odd fetish for gruel. Or as he would say, "Gruu-El".
The Reverend Mr. Elton (Zack Powell) a hand-picked prospect for the young Miss Harriet Smith.
In a scheme to seduce Mr. Elton, Harriet (Nia Zagami) poses in the classical style by Emma draws her portrait.
Unfortunately, Mr. Elton has his sights set up on other game and only a good dowsing of water will bring him to his senses!
Worry not. "Love has its own agenda," and Mr. Elton finds it with another who becomes Mrs. Elton (Megan Anderson)
Miss Bates (Helen Hedman) the proprietress of Miss Bates Finishing school. What a great example of a beautiful costume by the aforementioned, David Burdick.
Miss Bates with her own elderly mother (here played by Beth Hylton) who is wheelchair bound, and hidden behind her down-pulled bonnet. It was a role that was literally played by every other member of the cast except Helen Hedman and Kate Kleiger! One of the many conceits of this well written farce.
Mr. Knightly enjoying the company of Jane Fairfax (Megan Anderson) at his annual "Berry Picking Party."
Emma and Harriet conspiring over a tin of "biscuits" a scene repeated at various points throughout the play.
In this instance they by chance witnessed the wedding proposal of Frank Churchill (Zack Powell) to Jane Fairfax.
With the various townsfolk all hitched up, it remains only for Emma herself to discover the answer to her own matrimonial desires, the man who has been there all along: Mr. Knightly.
The entire cast: L-R (standing), Nia Zagami, Jefferson A. Russell, Beth Hylton, Tony Nam, Megan Anderson, Zack Powell, and (seated) Kate Kleiger and Helen Hedman.
