PicksInSix Review: EMMA Chicago Shakespeare Theater
“Emma” – The Mistress of the House
The pure joy that comes with Paul Gordon’s new musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel “Emma,” which is now playing at Chicago Shakespeare’s Courtyard Theater on Navy Pier, has as much to do with the soaring performance of its star Lora Lee Gayer as it does with the essence of Austen’s tapestry of 18th-century mores.
CST’s artistic director Barbara Gaines directs the sweeping tempo of Gordon’s work—he penned book, lyrics, and music, and shares orchestration credit with Brad Haak and Brian Allan Hobbs—which has been brought to glorious life by the combined efforts of music director Roberta Duchak, and associate music director/conductor Kory Danielson, as well as a superb company that has created a strikingly beautiful and accessible period piece—a perfect musical confection for a 21st-century audience.
Emma Woodhouse (Gayer), the mistress of the house, possesses Cupid’s penchant for playful manipulation in the area of matchmaking, using her position, wealth and charm to her advantage. To the perceptive Mr. Nightley (Brad Standley), whose relations with Emma are through a match she claims for her own, nothing Emma does is a mystery. It may be just a matter of time before the two find their way to each other. And the music serves this storyline beautifully throughout, allowing Gayer and Standley—in duet and in lofty solos—full range to express their feelings for one another.
The multi-tiered love story begins when Emma diverts a lovelorn commoner, Harriet Smith (Ephie Aardema), to reject a proposal from the earnest Robin Martin (Ian Geers), to pursue the affections of the vicar, Mr. Elton (Dennis William Grimes). When that plan runs awry, Emma begins to realize the enormous impact of her intrusions. At the same time, she copes with the prospect of competing for the affections of both Nightley and Frank Churchill (Devin DeSantis), who are playing the field with both Harriet and her familial rival, Jane Fairfax (Erica Stephan).
Love is also quaintly in the air with the Westons—Michael Milligan and Kelli Harrington—examples, it turns out, of what couples might aspire to be. A trio of Chicago’s top talent—Emma’s father, Mr. Woodhouse (Larry Yando), Emma’s governess, Miss Bates (Marya Grandy) and Mrs. Elton (Bri Sudia)—deliver engaging and finely crafted performances. Aardema and Geers charm in their CST debuts.
Scenically, the production marvelously befits the period. A luxurious Scott Davis design is awash in chiffon, gleaming crystal chandeliers, velvet cord and tassels. Mariann Verheyen’s elegant costumes shine in the glow of Donald Holder’s lighting design. All contribute to the seamless musical flow, vivid characters and Gayer’s memorable performance in Gordon’s fine new musical “Emma.”
PHOTOS|Liz Lauren
CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER
presents
EMMA
A New Musical
through March 15, 2020
Courtyard Theater
Navy Pier
(312) 595-5600
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