• Pemberley housekeeper Mrs. Reynolds (Kelly Kovar) tends to the wayward George Wickham (Nathan Colley) in the Theatre Rocks! production of “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley.” Submitted photo.
    Pemberley housekeeper Mrs. Reynolds (Kelly Kovar) tends to the wayward George Wickham (Nathan Colley) in the Theatre Rocks! production of “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley.” Submitted photo.
  • George Wickham (Nathan Colley) attempts to reassure Lydia (Charlotte Robie) of his devotion in “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley,” which runs Dec. 5-21 at Theatre Rocks! in Ennis. Submitted photo.
    George Wickham (Nathan Colley) attempts to reassure Lydia (Charlotte Robie) of his devotion in “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley,” which runs Dec. 5-21 at Theatre Rocks! in Ennis. Submitted photo.
  • Darcy and Lizzy steal a quiet moment before the boisterous Bennet family descends on their home for the holidays in “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley,” opening Friday at Theatre Rocks! in Ennis. Submitted photo.
    Darcy and Lizzy steal a quiet moment before the boisterous Bennet family descends on their home for the holidays in “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley,” opening Friday at Theatre Rocks! in Ennis. Submitted photo.
  • The Pemberley servants (Lorelai Stampes and Jonas Ramsey) sneak a moment of respite from their holiday duties in “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley,” opening Friday at Theatre Rocks! in Ennis. Submitted photo.
    The Pemberley servants (Lorelai Stampes and Jonas Ramsey) sneak a moment of respite from their holiday duties in “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley,” opening Friday at Theatre Rocks! in Ennis. Submitted photo.
    STAFF REPORT

     

    ENNIS – The servants at the Pemberley Estate are getting all the details ready for Christmas – and so is Theatre Rocks!, as it invites theatregoers to come enjoy “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley.”

    This Jane Austen-inspired play by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon opens Friday and runs through Dec. 21 at the theatre, 505 NW Main St. in Ennis.

    Last December, Theatre Rocks! produced the first in Gunderson’s and Melcon’s trilogy of “Pride and Prejudice” sequels, “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.”

    This season, the theatre revisits the same Christmas of 1815 – but this time, the focus is what is transpiring “below stairs” as the servants prepare for the holiday and manage an unwanted guest.

    Each of the plays stands alone; audiences need not have seen the first play to be entertained by this season’s offering.

    The grand estate owned by Fitzwilliam Darcy (Ethan Binder of Ennis) and Elizabeth Darcy (Jessica Kovar of Ennis) is all abuzz with the arrival of the Bennet sisters, including the effervescent Lydia Wickham (Charlotte Robie of Ennis).

    The busy holiday season means lots of work for housekeeper Mrs. Reynolds (Kelly Kovar of Ennis), footman Brian (Jonas Ramsey of Corsicana) and newly hired maid Cassie (Lorelai Stampes of Corsicana) – and lots of biscuits.

    Since the play is titled “The Wickhams,” it is perhaps no spoiler to say that Lydia’s disreputable husband, George Wickham (Nathan Colley of Avalon), will make an appearance – “to the chagrin of us all,” as Darcy would say. The Pemberley air is thick with both love and agitation.

    There is also an abundance of Christmas spirit with the additional contribution of carolers (Katy Allen of Ennis, Belle Allen of Ennis, Charlene Andrews of Palmer, Dirk Kovar of Ennis, Sam Stewart of Ennis, and Ellie Watson of Ennis).

    The play directed by Rebecca Perry has directed nine plays for Theatre Rocks! in the past and has worked with youth in theatre for the last 20 years.

    The play is produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service.

    Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, and 20 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21.

    Tickets are $15 for students and seniors, $18 for adult general admission, and can be purchased online at theatrerocks.ludus.com.

    For more information or reservations, call (972) 878-5126.

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    The Ellis County Press