Xavier College Preparatory’s stage lights may be dimming, but the next theater season is just beginning.
The fine arts department has officially announced its productions for the upcoming school year: Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” and Disney’s “Frozen.”
From Regency-era ballrooms to the snowy mountains, both productions feature powerful female leads and unique storylines.
Xavier will begin its journey by visiting a classic Jane Austen story: Kate Hamill’s adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice.” This production will be a more accessible version of the beloved story.
“It’s not as heightened as the text,” said fine arts teacher and director Sarah White. She added that while some renditions can feel stiff, this version captures the “true meaning” of the story.
“It’s enticing, yearning and dramatic, avoiding the dryness that sometimes can be found in other renditions,” White said.
For the English department, selecting “Pride and Prejudice” is a dream come true. Sophomore English teacher Kate Boehm expressed her happiness after learning the work will soon be on the Xavier stage.
“Jane Austen is my favorite author,” Boehm said. She also added that she has never seen this play performed before and is excited to see how the students take on some of the iconic roles.
“There are such strong roles for women here. There are incredible opportunities for a great Lizzy and Jane Bennet to shine,” Boehm added.
Following this early 1800s era, Xavier will undergo a deep freeze. Disney has finally released the full-length musical rights for global phenomenon “Frozen.”
Director of light and sound, Eric Lambert, handles the process of purchasing theatrical rights. He described the high-stakes of securing such a popular show.
“The rights for ‘Frozen’ go incredibly fast,” Lambert said.
The moment the notification hit his inbox, Lambert had to act fast. “The second I got the email about it being available, I knew we should do it right away,” Lambert said.
The decision to move forward was a collaborative effort. Lambert and White immediately went to the administration to get the show approved.
White said that the two shows couldn’t be more perfect for an all-girls environment. “Frozen is very powerful, especially with it being a sister-led story,” she added.
Whether it’s the wit of a Bennet sister or the power of an ice queen, next year’s lineup is all about the strength of women and supporting one another.
These upcoming productions will combine classic literature and modern movie magic, right on Xavier’s stage.
