Review: Jane Eyre: The Musical is a sweeping, pitch-perfect romance

Charlotte Bronte’s timeless classic of romance and redemption reaches new heights in the EmilyAnn Theatre’s current production of Jane Eyre: The Musical (you might even call them wuthering heightswait, wrong Bronte.)

Based on the 2000 Broadway version, director Bridget Farias-Gates’ impeccable direction and complimentary casting lends a refreshingly humanized nuance to the classic Gothic story of Jane Eyre, a young governess who, despite being born into poverty, is determined to pursue her freedom and identity in a ridged and unforgiving Victorian society. Local actress Devyn Collie gives a no-holdsbarred performance as the titular character, bringing a heart-wrenching conviction to the stark and often harrowing emotionality of the role as Jane finds herself unwittingly in love with her wealthy employer, Edward Rochester (portrayed by Derek Smootz). Contrasting to Jane’s enduring, fortified sense of propriety and duty, Smootz’s affable Rochester lends a unique element of tenderness and restrained complexity not often seen in the role of the traditionally arrogant, brooding love interest, to the effect that the romance at the heart of the story delicately avoids the pitfalls of feeling overwrought.

While Collie’s vocal performance for Jane is arguably the show-stealer, Gates’ ensemble has no weaknesses in terms of executing Paul Gordon’s deliciously gothic, fittingly operatic score, thanks in part to the attentive music direction of Maddie Tatman and Tommie Jackson. Notable stand-out supporting performances include Karin Cunningham’s well-intended, if misguided Mrs. Fairfax, Carla Dawes’ haughty, spiteful Mrs. Reed, as well as the exceptionally talented child actors of the show, Ellie Reid (who plays Adele, Rochester’s illegitimate daughter), and Jadyn Collie, who plays Young Jane Eyre to her (fittingly) older sister’s grown Jane.

The sheer talent assembled into this powerhouse production isn’t just limited to the stage, however. Under Gate’s experienced direction, the staging and choreography effectively utilizes the minimalistic space of the theatre’s Burdine Johnson Indoor Studio to make the limited space feel at once both infinite, and intimate. While the stage itself is light on props and scenery, Chris McKnight’s impeccable lighting design perfectly compensates for the show’s minimalism with pure atmosphere, dressing the stage and its players in sharp, ghostly hues of blue and green and just the right amount of carefully cultivated shadows. Through a combination of deft direction, talent, and smart design, the EmilyAnn’s production of Jane Eyre: The Musical is a faithful, emotionally charged adaptation – one as haunting and sweeping as the winds on the infamous moors.

The show runs weekends through March 3rd, with evening performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM. Matinee performances on Sunday begin at 2:00 PM. Seating is limited to 60 seats per show; advance tickets available online through the EmilyAnn Theatre’s website, EmilyAnn.org.