Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"... Christina Calvit's popular Austen adaptation for Lifeline Theatre, now making its first appearance in 20 years on the stage that birthed it, cleverly deals with the challenge by having Elizabeth Bennet deliver the line to the audience. Or try to, anyway — but various town gossips keep getting in the way. With a sigh, Laura McClain's high-spirited (and, let's face it, somewhat self-involved) Lizzy proclaims, "It's particularly vexing when one has a good turn of phrase to be interrupted.""
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"... Christina Calvit’s popular stage adaptation of the novel, which debuted at Lifeline Theatre two decades ago, is now back on the company’s Rogers Park stage under the fleet direction of Elise Kauzlaric. And while the attack of Austen-itis that hit popular culture some years back seems to have run its course, it is always a pleasure to be reminded of how certain aspects of affairs of the heart, mind, temperament (and pocketbook) persist."
Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...Elise Kauzlaric directs a sumptuous, well-honed production, and Christina Calvit's script closely follows the source while tightening Austen's already narrow focus on protagonist Elizabeth (expertly played by Laura McClain). The one complaint Downton fans might bring to Austen is that her narrative excludes the lower classes, a failing that's amplified here by cartoonish portrayals of some of the slightly less refined characters."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...Increasing the kinetic element places fresh emphasis on the impetuosity associated with an ethos elevating intuition over reason. Even our level-headed heroine—played with wholesome candor by Laura McClain—frequently confides coy asides to her audience (at one point, beseeching a spectator's assistance in repelling an unwanted advance). In a theater season rife with squalid sprawl, the results make for two hours of giddy merriment that never exceeds the boundaries of civilized protocol."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...While the shrill, bawdy Mrs. Bennet (Cameron Feagin) should stand out among the sophisticates she’s trying to marry her daughters off to, Feagin’s portrayal is exaggerated to the point of caricature. McClain’s willful, witty Elizabeth is a fine match for Grimes’s rigid Mr. Darcy, who becomes immediately more amiable and alluring once he confesses his secret love for her. There’s an exhilarating release when the two finally kiss—which speaks to Austen’s lasting ability to thrill."
Chicago On the Aisle - Highly Recommended
"... “Pride and Prejudice” is a stew of great characters, and Lifeline’s staging – in an adaptation by Christina Calvit directed by Elise Kauzlaric – gets every one of them right. To care about any of it, we must be drawn to Elizabeth’s independent spirit and buy into her misgivings about the cheerless and mysterious Darcy. And McClain is indeed an endearing Lizzy, the sharp-witted favorite of Mr. Bennet, that long-suffering father of five daughters, played with delicious drollery by Don Bender. In this telling, Lizzy is also the narrator, regularly turning to the audience to explain circumstances. McClain manages this device so off-handedly, and with such infectious dollops of irony, that Lizzy and the audience steadily grow to be pals."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...The real hero of the evening is Jane Austen, with her mastery of sophisticated language, her sure eye for human weakness, and her delightful portrayals of provincial everyday life. The triumph of the Lifeline production is its fidelity to Austen’s original masterpiece."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"... In this adaption, Christina Calvit, captures every nuance. She goes beyond dialogue, to incorporate lines where author speaks to reader — as Elizabeth does just that in the play — beginning with what is perhaps the most famous opening sentence of any English novel: It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. As Elizabeth speaks, she is interrupted several times, giving these famous words even more weight and humor as they set the stage for all the follows."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...Unlike many productions with affordable ticket prices, Lifeline's "Pride and Prejudice" has not scrimped on the delightful Regency costumes and elegant set. Lifeline's sets are often show stealers, and Lifeline has won multiple Jeff Awards for both costume and scenic design. I was left with only one wish: That Lifeline would decide to extend the run on into the summer. More shows, more seats. And this production is not to be missed! On a scale of one to four stars, I give it a five. And if you love Austen's novels, double them again."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...In the mood for a classic romantic comedy? Plop yourself into a Lifeline seat and open up to an old-fashion, sassy love story. You won’t be able to resist falling hard for Lifeline’s PRIDE AND PREJUDICE."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"... There are many playful twists and turns in this 2 1/2 hour production swiftly directed by Elise Kauzlaric on a set designed by Melania Lancy. For those of you who have not seen a production at Lifeline, the audience section rises from the floor, which is in fact the stage, and this set is built with some stairs and levels, so that the small space appears larger. To give the set the elite flavor that these characters deserve, colorful draperies mark the walls. There is only one set, but with a few pieces of furniture moved about and some very quality acting, we can stay with the story without ever questioning “who are they now?”. Bill Morey’s costumes are extraordinary for a low budget theater company- they look far more luxurious than they probably are."