McAninch Arts Center Presents, “The Wickmans: Christmas at Pemberley” from November 14 – December 15, 2024
Buffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE), the professional Equity theater company in residence at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC), will present The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, directed by Managing Artistic Director Emerita Connie Canaday Howard from November 14 – December 15, 2024.
Mayhem and silliness abound when the elegance of the upstairs (masters and family) and the intriguing lives of the downstairs (servants) collide during the festive season. As the events of Miss Bennet unfold upstairs at Pemberley, during the same celebration, the servants below find themselves in the midst of a different holiday scandal. An unwelcome visitor arrives in the middle of the night disrupting holiday preparations – George Wickham, Lydia’s incorrigible husband and Mr. Darcy’s sworn enemy.
“I’m very excited about directing BTE’s production of The Wickhams,” says Howard. It introduces important situations and subjects, like Downton Abbey or Upstairs Downstairs, but also has laughter, heart and holiday cheer. Audiences don’t have to have seen last year’s production of Miss Bennett nor do they have to be an expert in the world of Jane Austen to enjoy this holiday theatrical treat.”
The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley is the follow up to BTE’s 2023 hit production of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley and the second in the trilogy. Three actors from last year’s production of Miss Bennett — Robert Hunter Bry, Paige Klopfenstein and Danielle Kerr — will be reprising their characters from last year’s production,. In addition, Aly Greaves Amidei who recently received a Jeff Award for her Miss Bennett costumes, will also return to costume The Wickhams.
Miss Bennet and The Wickhams originated as a continuation of Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice. The Wickhams premiered in November 2018, at the Jungle Theater in Minneapolis and had its Chicago debut at the Northlight Theater in Skokie in November 2019.
Buffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE) presents The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd. Glen Ellyn, November14 – December 15, 2024. For tickets or more information visit AtTheMAC.org or call 630.942.4000.
