3rd Play - You on the Moors Now by Jacklyn Backhaus
BrittneyLove Smith as Jane Eyre, Tien Doman as Elizabeth Bennet, Deanna Myers as Jo March and Emjoy Gavino as Cathy Earnshaw in the Hypocrites’ production in Chicago in 2016. Photo: Evan Hanover
Summary: “Four literary heroines of the nineteenth century set conventionalism ablaze when they turn down marriage proposals from their equally famous gentlemen callers. What results is a confluence of love, anger, grief, and bloodshed, as the ensemble struggles to reconcile romantic ideologies of the past with their modern ideas of courtship. Everything you’ve learned about love from the pages of Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, and Little Women is turned upside down in this grand theatrical battle royale.” Dramatists Play Service
Laura’s thoughts in brief: Having watched all of these characters in movies, read their stories, read about them in OTHER people’s stories, and just spent a good deal of time with these badass women, it’s really fun to see them get to speak their truths 21st century style. I enjoyed hearing them saying NO to the men who want them and think they deserve them (this is in the books). I really enjoyed hearing the men whining about it (not in the books). Is it very meta? Yes! Is is very feminist? Yes! Are there period costumes but people who say “Fuck”? Yes! Win, win, win as far as I am concerned. I wish I had seen the Hypocrites production in Chicago. Actors Tien Doman and Emjoy Gavin are certainly powerhouses in Chicago theatre and I know it must have been quite an event. As some of the reviews mention, it does get a little wonky in the third act, and I was disappointed in the ending, but I think this show would be a trip to see and even more to perform in! (Mrs. March has a great kickass monologue near the end, so, maybe?) But if this show goes up near you, brush up on the stories of Lizzie Bennet (I will die on the hill of the Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth version of Pride & Prejudice, people!), Cathy Earnshaw, Jane Eyre and the March family, and run straight to the theatre. Be prepared to wave your corset in the air!!! (And if you don’t recognize those names, you need to read some books or at least watch some movies to catch up on some of the great inspiring feminist heroines from a time when that was REALLY not acceptable. Do it.)
READ MORE! Here’s what others had to say about productions:
https://ludusnyc.com/2015/02/17/theater-reconstruction-ensembles-you-on-the-moors-now-review/
https://www.newcitystage.com/2016/09/19/misbehavin-mavens/
https://www.timeout.com/chicago/theater/you-on-the-moors-now