JMU Stages Adaptation of Charlotte Brontė's 'Jane Eyre'

From: Public Affairs

Jane (Lauren D. Meyer) declares her love for Rochester (Joel Adam Gerlach); Photo by R. Finkelstein

November 1, 2007

James Madison University's School of Theatre and Dance is presenting Polly Teale's "Jane Eyre," adapted from Charlotte Brontė's classic novel.

DATE: Tuesday-Saturday, November 6-10, 2007
TIME: 8 p.m.
LOCATION: Latimer-Shaeffer Theatre, Duke Hall

In 1836 Charlotte Brontė sent British Poet Laureate Robert Southey some of her poems for consideration, to which he replied, "Literature cannot be the business of a woman's life, and it ought not to be." In light of such sentiments, Teale's adaptation of Brontė's "Jane Eyre" emerges as a passionate inquiry into how Jane can be true to herself as she struggles against the bondage of Victorian constraints while searching for an acceptable outlet for her fiery impulses.

Teale's dramatization, which is recommended for mature audiences, uses inventive production techniques and musical underscoring to produce a theatrical experience that has delighted audiences in London and New York.

Cast members include Lauren Meyer as Jane Eyre, Joel Gerlach as Rochester and Lash Dooley as Richard Mason and St. John Rivers. Ali Hoxie plays the role of Bertha, John Kirk plays John Reed, Brockelhurst and Lord Ingram and Emily Nilsen plays the roles of Bessie, Grace Poole, Blanche Ingram and Diana Rivers. Julie Schroll plays Abigail, Helen Burns, Adele and Mary Rivers and Meredith Young plays Mrs. Reed and Mrs. Fairfax.

Roger Hall directs the production, Grisha Kramer accompanies the cast on cello and Lesie Pumphrey understudies the role of Jane Eyre.

Tickets are $10 general admission and $8 for children under 12, senior citizens and JACard holders. For tickets and information, call the JMU Masterpiece Season box office at 540-568-7000 or 877-201-7543 (toll free). The box office, located in Room 1107, Harrison Hall, is open from noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information or photos, contact Elizabeth Simmons in the JMU School of Theatre and Dance at 540-568-7836 or simmonea@jmu.edu.

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