Christmas Joy, ‘Pemberley Style’ runs thru Dec. 22

ENNIS – The Bennet sisters of “Pride and Prejudice” fame were known for their ability to entertain, and Theatre Rocks! is sharing that spirit in its December show, “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.”

This lighthearted play by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon opens Friday and runs through Dec. 22 at the theatre, 505 NW Main St. in Ennis.

Near the end of Jane Austen’s famous novel, Elizabeth Bennet wrote a letter saying, “Mr. Darcy sends you all the love in the world that can be spared from me. You are all to come to Pemberley at Christmas.”

The playwrights took those lines and ran with them, creating a humorous plot centered around Austen’s characters and writing a lovely story that has been extremely popular since its publication in 2016.

“Miss Bennet” takes place Dec. 22 to 25, 1815, at the Pemberley Estate.

When the play opens, Elizabeth Darcy (played by Jessica Kovar of Ennis) and Fitzwilliam Darcy (Ethan Binder of Ennis) are readying themselves for the arrival of family for the Christmas holiday.

Lizzy surprises her husband with unconventional Christmas decorations, and Mr. Darcy surprises his wife with the announcement that a distant cousin, Arthur de Bourgh (David Alexander of Red Oak), will be joining them for the holiday.

“I care not a whit about anything as long as my sister is arrived safely and enormously,” remarks Lizzy, as she is about to welcome her pregnant sister Jane Bingley (Belle Allen of Ennis), as well as brother-in-law Charles Bingley (Andrew Williams of Red Oak) and middle sister Mary Bennet (Amy Zollinger of Ennis). Their youngest sister, Lydia Wickham (Charlotte Robie of Ennis), arrives the next day in her typical, over-the-top, whirlwind style. 

“It is often remarked upon, my shocking character,” says Lydia.

However, the whole party is shocked by the arrival of Anne de Bourgh (Katy Allen of Ennis), and the details of that addition are most certainly story spoilers. So, Theatre Rocks! invites all of the community to come get the scoop and share some Christmas joy.

The play is directed by Rebecca Perry, who has directed seven 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. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22.

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

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