We at JASNA-NC are thrilled for our member, Tara Raczenski, who recently premiered a staging of her new show, Pride & Prejudice: A New Musical Comedy (and some of us were lucky enough to attend the show in Greensboro!). Tara was kind enough to take some time to answer our questions about her, the process of creating the show, and the show itself. You can read it all down below, and congratulations to Tara and the cast for this first performance!
Can you tell us your Jane Austen story? How did you first get introduced to Austen, and what keeps you coming back to Austen?
My two sisters and I went to see the 2005 movie version of Pride & Prejudice, and I just felt like I wanted to stay in that world a little longer. Granted, it was a slightly different world than the books, but I pretty much devoured those and any adaptation I could find. Almost 20 years later, I’m still there with no plans to leave.
What’s the origin story for this show? What inspired you to write this musical comedy? When did you start writing this musical?
Musicals are in my blood. My parents were active in community theater when I was very young, and my sister and I would play the records to various shows and sing along. My first real role on stage was in a musical, and it remains my favorite stage genre to this day. Writing a musical feels like the natural evolution of that life long attraction. I took inspiration from Lizzy’s letter to her Aunt Gardiner, “Give loose rein to your fancy. Indulge your imagination in every possible flight…” What a great description for musical theater! The only place, except perhaps love, where people spontaneously burst into song and dance.
Why Pride and Prejudice? What in that novel most called to you and your writing partner?
The longer I spend in Jane Austen’s world, the more humor I find in it. I thought it might be fun and different to lean into the absurdity of the characters and situations as well as the imaginative elements. I am certainly not the first to adapt Pride & Prejudice as a musical and I probably won’t be the last. For me, adapting literature for the stage has always been a means of understanding the work and myself. It felt natural to draw a comparison between that desire and Elizabeth Bennet’s own journey of self awareness. My first love was performing, so I approach and enjoy Austen from the perspective of dialogue and subtext, and Pride & Prejudice is rich with both.
What was the creation process like for this musical? What were the easiest bits to write and produce, and what bits presented the most challenges?
I spent a very long time just working on the text and the lyrics. I knew I wanted the songs to have a more ‘modern’ sound. The style is very anachronistic, but it was always about finding the sound that mirrored the way the book made me feel. The biggest challenge I faced was not being a musician. It was imperative to find someone who could take my unpolished melodies and turn them into actual songs. I was fortunate to find that person in Chris Tilley, an accomplished composer and pianist with several musical theater credits already to his name.
Who was your favorite character to write? What made that character so fun to write?
Jane Austen did most of the work there. Of course, I had to pare things down considerably, but I really wanted to keep the characters true to form. If I had to choose one, I think I had the most fun working with Bingley and Collins and expanding them into comedic characters. And, I would be lying if I said it wasn’t great fun working with Wickham. Everyone loves a bad boy, right?
What is your favorite scene from the show? What makes that scene special to you?
I think my favorite scene is Darcy’s letter. It is presented as a musical number where Wickham’s predatory nature is revealed. Georgiana and Wickham have a dance interlude, which breaks my heart for her every time.
Do you have a favorite song from the show? What in that song stands out for you?
Being a romantic, I love the song between Bingley and Jane. Darcy & Lizzy don’t get to be romantic until the end, and their ‘duet’ is a dance. Bingley and Jane are the classic young lovers–mirroring Romeo & Juliet in the way they are parted. I’m also especially happy with “The Prosecution,” in which a highly prejudiced Lizzy lays out for an imaginary jury the record of Darcy’s wrong-doing, and “Life is Funny,” a poignant moment for Mr.Bennet (and us) to reflect on our own contributions to the difficulties we find ourselves facing.
How about the staging–what was it like casting and staging the production? What was it like taking the musical from page to stage?
Putting your ‘baby’ into someone else’s hands is always a bit of a risk, and trying to communicate your vision to someone else can be challenging. It was worth it. Even if we didn’t always agree, there was plenty to be gained from having another set of eyes. In this case, with a production team and cast of 20 plus, the benefit far outweighed the risk.
What was the performance experience like? What feedback did the audience have that excited you for the future?
It was wonderful to get the organic response, and I was thrilled at the number of people who came to see it. From a playwriting perspective, the concert staging was exactly what I needed to show me what worked and what didn’t. I feel I can move forward confidently with new edits, judicious cuts, and better ideas of how to bring about a fully realized production.
What are your plans and dreams for this show?
A full scale production with all the trimmings! Before that can happen though, I want to create additional orchestration. Right now, that is a matter of raising funds. I created a GoFundMe campaign and as of now, I am almost halfway to my goal.
To learn more about the show visit here: Pride & Prejudice: A New Musical Comedy | pinwheel-productions (pinwheelclassics.wixsite.com)
And, donations to this project can be made here: Fundraiser by Tara Raczenski : Create Pride and Prejudice: A New Musical Comedy (gofundme.com)