The Fresno Pacific University spring mainstage offers a theatrical take on a classic novel.
The play is Emma, an adaptation of Jane Austen by Michael Bloom, and performances will be in North Hall 123 (the Seminary Chapel) on the FPU main campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno. Showtimes are 8:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, March 21-23, 28-30, and 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 31. Admission is $14 for general audiences, $10 seniors and students, $8 FPU faculty/staff and alumni card holders, $5 FPU students. More information online eventbrite.com/e/jane-austens-emma-tickets-52336355448 at fpu.edu/events/theater or by calling 559-453-5866.
Pledging never to marry, the mischievous Emma Woodhouse is nevertheless the “matchmaker of Highbury.” Her newest project, Harriet Smith, has already received a proposal, but Emma insists Harriet marry the eligible vicar Mr. Elton, while an older family friend, Mr. Knightly, warns Emma to give up matchmaking. When Emma discovers Mr. Elton is more interested in her, she is forced to fend him off and find another suitor for Harriet. Meanwhile Highbury welcomes two new guests, the mysterious Jane Fairfax and the charming Frank Churchill, and Emma finds herself falling just a little in love with him. Ultimately, she decides that Frank is better suited to Harriet, but when she suggests the match, Emma is astonished to discover Harriet has fallen for Mr. Knightly. A horrified Emma suddenly realizes she has always been in love with Mr. Knightley. In the end, all is set right as Frank reveals his secret engagement to Jane, Harriet receives a second offer from her first beau and Mr. Knightley proposes to the deliriously happy Emma.
Brooke Aiello, FPU theater instructor, is the director. The student cast is Madison Alley (Stockton) as Augusta Hawkins Elton, Allison Calhoun (Leemoore) as Emma Woodhouse, Luke Fredette (Flagstaff, AZ) as Mr. Woodhouse, Alyssa Gaynor (Clovis) as Miss Bates, Alexa Hardy Heinrich (Modesto) as Jane Fairfax, Robbie Hill (Fresno) as Mr. Knightly, Trey Jones (Fresno) as Mr. Elton, Parker Lewis (Visalia) as Frank Churchill, Annelise Lyman (Clovis) as Harriet Smith, Michael Mason (Hanford) as Robert Martin, Joseph Medina (Fresno) as Mr. Weston and Gracie Robinson (Fresno) as Mrs. Weston.