It will be the first U.S. performance of the play

CORVALLIS -Innovation and strategic whimsey played starring roles in one of two plays in the Majestic Theatre's Summer Performance Series, "Persuasion," based on Jane Austen's novel. The other offering is "All the Great Books (abridged)."

Director Jonathan Pedersen, whose most recent local production this year was "Chicago," said the biggest challenge was staging a period drawing-room romantic drama/comedy without a stage.

The historic Majestic Theatre on Second Street won't reopen until January due to earthquake retrofitting. But that didn't stop Pedersen or the cast and crew from producing a bold play in less than two months from concept to opening night Friday, Aug. 21.

Peak Elite's large indoor gymnastics space at 6880 S.W. West Hills Road became the rehearsal space, meant to evoke the English countryside at Lyme and the resort town of Bath in 1814. The talented cast place Austen's story of Anne Elliot in its proper setting with their own modern touches.

The dramatic conflict for Anne is that when she was 19, she was persuaded to refuse the proposal of Frederick Wentworth, a British sailor her family and friends considered socially inferior.

The play begins eight years later, and fortunes have reversed. Wentworth has become the wealthy Capt. Frederick Wentworth, hero of the high seas. High-born Anne, meanwhile, has become a genteel 27-year-old drifting perilously close to a dreaded state of permanent spinsterhood. Thus, drama, pathos and comedy follow.

Pedersen said Australian professor Pamela Whalan adapted the novel for the stage, and Pedersen said it was a success in Australia. This will be its first U.S. performance.

"The play explores important themes," Pedersen said. "The people in it aren't limited to time, culture and gender."

So expect two unexpected cast changes: The part of fetching widow Penelope Clay, who has designs on Anne Elliot's vain father, Sir Walter Elliot, is being portrayed by 6-foot-5 inch Keith McKinley in a curly coppery wig.

Aubrie Campbell is nonetheless convincing as Sir Walter, a man of fathomless vanity and shallowness. For example, in one of Campbell's more memorable bits, her character decries the lack of beautiful women in Bath, saying "… one handsome face would be followed by thirty or five-and-thirty frights … "

Sir Walter is equally critical of his daughter Anne, who is portrayed with skill and restraint by Shannon McInally. Although still a teen, she is convincing as the older Anne, who says little as she watches younger relatives and friends flirt with Capt. Wentworth when he returns to her social circle and initially treats her with polite coldness.

It isn't easy to convey pain and longing from the stage, but McInally accomplishes it through body language and vocal inflection.

Anthony Hicks, as the heroic Wentworth, amazes with his ability to project his voice and maintain a British accent through long and emotion-laden stretches of dialogue.

Staging wasn't the Majestic's only challenge, however.

Two of the actors left the production, so Pedersen himself stepped into the role of Admiral Croft and recruited dialect coach Dorrie Board to portray Mrs. Croft. Although both read their roles from books, they do it artfully.

Pedersen has provided at least one other modern touch to the play: He said he preferred the music of two 20th century rockers - Ann and Nancy Wilson of the Seattle-based rock band Heart - over classical music of the period to provide the introduction, transitions and "poignant context" to the play's dialogue.

Pedersen said he believes that Austen devotees will appreciate that the play celebrates innovation in the way that Austen herself defied the culture of her time.

CHECK IT OUT

"Persuasion" plays Friday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 23 at 2:30 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 30 at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.

"All the Great Books (abridged)" plays Saturday, Aug. 22 at 2:30 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 29 at 2:30 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 5 at 2:30 p.m.

Where: All performances will be outdoors at Bruce Starker Arts Park in Corvallis, off of Country Club Drive and Southwest 45th Street, adjacent to Sunset Park.

THE CAST

Miss Anne Elliot Shannon McInally

Capt. Frederick Wentworth Anthony Hicks

Mrs. Musgrove Julia Edgerton

Miss Louisa Musgrove Krista Goeke

Mrs. Henrietta Musgrove Nicole Gould

Mrs. Mary Musgrove Brandy Milleman

Miss Elizabeth Elliot Lindsey Earp

Mrs. Penelope Clay Keith McKinley

Sir Walter Elliot Aubrie Campbell

Mr. William Elliot Todd Greeley

Mrs. Croft Read by Dorrie Board

Admiral Croft Read by Jonathan Pedersen

Tickets: $10 per person; children under 11 can enter for free with a paid adult admission. Tickets are available at www.majestic.org, by calling 541-738-SHOW or at the Majestic box office, 115 S.W. Second St.