PULLMAN, Wash.- The School of Music will be presenting the Broadway musical Jane Eyre during Mom’s Weekend at Washington State University. Performances will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 3, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, at Bryan Hall Theater.
Based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë, the story is full of romance and suspense as a young, naïve governess falls in love with her dark and mysterious employer. Jane Eyre, one of the most famous heroines in English Literature, presents themes of love, forgiveness and redemption, making it a production for audiences of all ages.
Directed by WSU Associate Professor Julie Anne Wieck with assistance from Karen Savage, rehearsal accompanist, and Nick Wallin, conductor of the WSU Symphony Orchestra. Tewnty-three WSU students comprise the cast, including Emily Dahlgren as Jane Eyre, Jacob Woodbrey as Edward Rochester, Jordyn Palmer as Mrs. Fairfax, and Caryssa Gilmore as Blanche. The roles of Young Jane and Adele are played by Alex Neelon, a promising young actress from Deary, Idaho. Five students from Pullman public schools will also join the cast. The stage set and lighting are designed by James Harris.
The musical premiered on Broadway in 2000 and was nominated for five Tony Awards. The book and lyrics were written by John Caird, who also wrote Children of Eden and won two Tony awards for directing Les Miserables. The music was written by songwriter Paul Gordon a success in the popular music field composing hits for Bette Midler, Amy Grant, Smokey Robinson, Quincy Jones and Patti LaBelle.
Tickets will be on sale from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on April 1 through the 3 in the Kimbrough Music Building Lobby as well as at the door in Bryan Hall Theater an hour and a half before each performance. Admission for students and senior citizens will be $5 and general admission will be $10.
Note to Editors:
Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend any rehearsals in Bryan Hall Theater. Dress rehearsals take place at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, March 30, and Wednesday, April 1. The final dress rehearsal will be at 8 p.m. Thursday April 2. Cast members might be available for interviews prior to rehearsals.
The following people can also be contacted for interviews: Julie Anne Wieck, Emily Dahlgren (Jane Eyre), Caryssa Gilmore (Blanche Ingram), Jordyn Palmer (Mrs. Fairfax), Elizabeth Giesbers (Grace Poole/Mrs. Reed), Amanda Guay (Bertha), and Jake Woodbrey (Edward Rochester), by contacting Wieck at 509-335-4331 or jwieck@wsu.edu.
