EMMA Book, Music & Lyrics by Paul Gordon Directed by Robert Kelley
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2008—2009 SEASON EMMA Book, Music & Lyrics by Paul Gordon Directed by Robert Kelley CONTENTS 2 The 411 3 A/S/L 4 FYI 5 HTH & RMAI 6 F2F 7 B4U 10 IRL 11 RBTL 12 SWDYT? MISSOURI ARTS COUNCIL At The Rep, we know MIHYAP: Top Ten Ways to that life moves fast— Stay Connected at The Rep okay, really fast. 10. TBA Ushers will seat your school or class as a group, But we also know so even if you are dying to mingle with the group from the that some things all girls school that just walked in the door, stick with your are worth slowing friends until you have been shown your section in the theatre. down for. We believe that live theatre is one of those pit stops worth making and are excited that you are 9. SITD The house lights will dim immediately before the performance begins and then go dark. Fight off that oh-so- going to stop by for a show. To help you get the most bang immature urge to whisper, giggle like a grade schooler or yell for your buck, we have put together WU? @ THE REP—an at this time and during any other blackouts in the show. IM guide that will give you everything you need to know to get at the top of your theatergoing game—fast. You’ll find 8. SED Before the performance begins, turn off all cell character descriptions (A/S/L), a plot summary (FYI), phones, pagers, beepers and watch alarms. If you need to biographical information (F2F), historical context (B4U), text, talk or dial back during intermission, please make sure and other bits and pieces (HTH). Most importantly, we’ll to click off before the show resumes. have some ideas about what this all means IRL, anyway. 7. TMI Not to sound like your mom, but “if you need to go now, you needed to go then.” Leaving the theatre during the performance is disruptive, so take care of any personal needs before the show starts. 6. RTM When you arrive at the theatre, read the production program. It’s like a deluxe version of liner notes and a free souvenir, all in one. 5. P-ZA? NW! Though your ability to eat ten slices at one sitting may impress your friends, no one wants to listen to The Teacher’s you chew, slurp or smack, so please leave all food, drink and Lounge gum outside the theatre. In an effort to make our 4. TLK-2U-L8R We know that you will be dying to discuss educational materials more what you see onstage with your friends, but please wait until intermission. Any talking—even whispering—is very accessible to students and easier for distracting for both the actors onstage and the audience educators to incorporate into the seated around you. classroom, our study guide is written in a student-oriented format. We hope that you will circulate this guide among 3. LOL Without you, we really wouldn’t have a show. It’s your students in the weeks preceding your visit to The your job to laugh when a scene is funny or maybe even shed Rep, encouraging them to browse it before and after a tear or two in a tender moment. However, since you are not class and as time allows, using it as a launch point for the audience at The Jerry Springer Show please refrain from inappropriate responses such as talking, whistling, making both pre- and post-performance discussions.You may also catcalls or singing along with the performers. want to visit our website, www.repstl.org, for additional information including educational games, activity 2. SOP While it’s great that you want a celeb picture of suggestions and behind-the-scenes information. Any your day at The Rep, the theatre is off-limits to the paparazzi. materials, either from this guide or from our website may Flash photography interrupts the performance and along with be reproduced for use in the classroom. As always, we videorecording is prohibited by Actors’ Equity rules. You can appreciate your making live theatre a sneak a peek at production photos on our website, www.repstl.org. part of your classroom experience and welcome your feedback and 1. LLTA Let the actors know that you respect their work by questions. remaining for the curtain call at the end of the performance. Show your appreciation through applause. Show Me Standards: CA 2, 3, 5, 6; FA 2, 3, 4, 5; SS 2, 3, 6 and Illinois Learning Standards: 1, 2, 5, 14, 15, 16, 18, 25, 27. A self-proclaimed matchmaker, A kindhearted but poor soul who loves the EMMA WOODHOUSE is a clever and company of friends and family, MISS BATES competent young woman bent on finding the happily cares for her mother (MRS. BATES) perfect mates for all those around her. and for her niece, Jane Fairfax. GEORGE KNIGHTLEY, Emma’s close Looking for love in all the wrong places friend and neighbor, is skeptical of Emma’s (or at least as guided by Emma), poor young meddling in the affairs of others. He watches HARRIET SMITH bounces from suitor to Emma’s every move, judging her actions with suitor. his moral superiority. One of Miss Smith’s attempts at marriage, As the play opens, Emma loses her dear PHILIP ELTON is the attractive new vicar companion and governess MRS. WESTON in town. to marriage. Though Emma is sad to see When Mr. Elton runs off to get married, Mrs. Weston go, she revels in the fact that he finds a match in AUGUSTA ELTON, an she made the match between Mr. and Mrs. arrogant, loud-mouthed matron who feels it Weston. is her duty to inform those around her. As handsome as he is mysterious, A mild-mannered man of little wealth FRANK CHURCHILL is the only man that and standing, ROBERT MARTIN courts Emma could ever imagine marrying. Miss Smith even after she rejects him. Equally mysterious and attractive, Through it all, Emma’s affluent but anxious JANE FAIRFAX arrives about the same father HENRY WOODHOUSE fears being time as Frank Churchill, quickly gaining the left alone by his daughters. admiration of George Knightley. MR. WESTON, a good-natured and optimistic man, is the father of Frank Churchill (a child from his previous marriage). 3 AS THE PLAY BEGINS, Mrs. Weston is A mysterious gift (a pianoforte) seems leaving the Woodhouse household to marry to solidify Mrs. Weston’s intuition, Mr. Weston, a match of Emma’s design. though Emma cautions her not to play so Inspired by this success, Emma believes it irresponsibly with such a pairing. There’s is her purpose in life to go out and find something about Miss Fairfax that Emma just matches for all those around her, starting doesn’t like, though she can’t seem to put with her new friend, Harriet Smith. She her finger on it. immediately sets to scheming on pairing Miss THOUGH ENCHANTING in the beginning, Smith with the young, attractive new vicar Churchill seems to lose his luster for Emma in town, Mr. Elton. Mr. Knightley, Emma’s very quickly. When he leaves town to care close friend and neighbor, disapproves of her for his sick aunt, Emma finds that absence meddling, asserting that she was only lucky makes her heart go yonder. All the while, with the Weston match. Robert Martin continues to attempt to woo HAPPY TO RISE to the challenge, Emma Miss Smith, in spite of Emma’s continued seems to successfully match Mr. Elton and misgivings with the man. Late one night at Miss Smith. Meanwhile, rumors start to fly a ball, Knightley rescues Miss Smith from that both Frank Churchill (son of Mr. Weston severe humiliation at the hands of Mr. Elton, by a previous marriage) and Jane Fairfax setting Miss Smith in pursuit of Knightley. (niece of the charming Miss Bates) will be Later that night, he realizes his affections blowing into town soon. Intrigued by the for Emma, and longs privately for her to mythical pair, Emma is sure that the only reciprocate his feelings. man she’d ever marry would be Churchill, if RETURNING HOME, Churchill finds Miss only she could finally meet him. Smith forlorn on the side of the road and TROUBLE QUICKLY ARISES in the saves her from certain doom. When Miss supposed paradise between Mr. Elton and Smith confronts Emma about pursuing Miss Smith, as another suitor (Robert Martin) the man who rescued her, Emma sees an proposes to Miss Smith. Under Emma’s opportunity to match her up with Churchill. advice, Miss Smith rejects Mr. Martin, as Not knowing that Miss Smith is referring to she looks forward to better prospects in Knightley, Emma encourages Miss Smith to Mr. Elton. When Knightley catches wind pursue her savior. Later, at a picnic, Emma of Emma’s advice, he severely admonishes shuns Miss Bates, sending Knightley off her, stating she has no business to prevent into a fury against Emma. Emma quickly the happiness of Mr. Martin and Miss Smith realizes her mistake, and that all this time together. Unfortunately, Knightley is correct she has loved her good friend Knightley! It’s in chastising Emma, as Mr. Elton reveals his only then that Miss Smith reveals her true true affections are for Emma not Miss Smith. pursuit, also Knightley. When Emma rejects him, Mr. Elton flees the FOR BETTER or for worse, Knightley city for other prospects, leaving behind a suddenly leaves town for his brother’s house bewildered Emma and a heartbroken Miss in London.