St. John’s Theater Brings Austen to Life with Engaging Pride and Prejudice

From November 20th to 22nd, the St. John’s theater department staged Pride and Prejudice. Saturday’s show drew a packed audience, creating a strong sense of excitement.

The play follows Elizabeth Bennet as she deals with family expectations, first impressions, and an unexpected connection with Mr. Darcy. As the story unfolds, both characters learn to see each other more clearly and move past their initial judgments.

The production featured strong design choices, the costumes looked professional and fit the period well, and the set supported each scene without distracting from the action.

Several performances stood out, senior Daniel McGreevy gave a steady and thoughtful portrayal of Mr. Darcy. Although the role doesn’t include many lines, he used expression and movement effectively, during the ballroom scene especially, where his relaxed dancing helped show Darcy’s discomfort in social settings.

Senior Eli Hoopengardner’s performance as Mrs. Bennet was the highlight of the evening. Her delivery and physical humor earned frequent laughter, especially during moments like her staged fainting.

Amissa Bonenge, as Elizabeth Bennet, though her performance varied at times had strong moments. Charlotte, played by Riley Johnson, and Jane, played by Elizabeth Newman, kept their acting grounded and clear. Newman’s monologue about life and relationship decisions was convincing and elicited a strong emotional response from the audience.

Thomas Harvey’s Mr. Collins was well-received by the audience. Despite a few line struggles, he brought energy to the role. His scripted injury during the ballroom scene, where Mr. Collins hurts his foot and hobbles off, kept the audience entertained.

Although there were some pacing issues and moments of uncertainty, the production offered an enjoyable take on a classic story. The cast and crew worked together to deliver a clear, engaging performance that held the audience’s attention throughout the evening.