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What Price Love?
This page joyfully introduces a new and faithful musical adaptation of Jane Austen's witty romantic comedy of manners, "Pride and Prejudice", which has become a worldwide best-seller since its initial publication in 1813.
Set in 1811, in the English countryside, What Price Love? is a fable of fulfillment. Young women want husbands - rich husbands - and young men want women. Outspoken Elizabeth Bennett and arrogant, wealthy Mr. Darcy dislike each other intensely. As they match wits, they overcome their youthful pride and personal prejudices, but family and friends confound the progress of love as they lust, lie, please, and prey upon each other. They all entertain and entice for 2-1/2 hours in 22 songs and get precisely what they deserve.
The score is comprised of contemporary music orchestrated to recall romantic-period waltzes, ballads, character pieces, and folk and English music-hall songs, as well as a beguine, a galop, and a fandango.
As Mrs. Bennet says early in Act I, "Let nature take its course." Thus, the context for What Price Love? is Nature - the simple perfection of the English countryside is a backdrop for the young lovers baffled by the complex imperfections of human nature.
What Price Love? is a full-scale musical comedy with a cast of 19 women and 15 men, including a choral/dance ensemble of 16, and most of the major characters are 15 to 28 years old.
With Jane Austen's wide assortment of lively characters, grand estates, simple pleasures, and complex relationships, 'the most lyrical book in the English language' will truly come alive on stage!
The book, lyrics and music of the show have been written by Alan Weitzman, whose background includes over 30 years experience in theatre, throughout the US and Canada.
All the arrangements, orchestrations, and musical environment for the show have been created, based on Alan's songs, by Clayton Tharp, a classical composer in his own right.
For the synopsis of What Price Love?, Click here. For the "Cliff Notes" version (and a good chuckle), Click here.
What Price Love?
Amy, Frank, Ida, Bill, Ruth, and Nina.
Paul