Austentatious

Austentatious by Joe Slabe, Matt Board, Kate Galvin, Jane Caplow, Luisa Hinchliff

(2)
Productions (13)
Musical Comedy
|
100 - 120 minutes
4 W, 3 M, 
Content Notes: Adult language and mild adult content
Set: Minimal; a community theater space.

When the Central Riverdale Amateur Players announce a new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, stage manager Sam has her hands full with a colorful array of community theatre misfits: a clueless director, an egotistical writer/choreographer/leading lady, a scorned diva, an overlooked veteran, and the town's local druggie. But when Sam begins to fall for the leading man, things really start to get complicated. This hilarious musical follows the group's journey as they unwittingly butcher Jane Austen's beloved classic, from chaotic auditions to climactic pirate battle and tap-off. With a jazzy score and anachronisms galore, Austentatious is terrible theater at its absolute comedic best.

Play Details

When the Central Riverdale Amateur Players announce a new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, stage manager Sam has her hands full with a colorful array of community theatre misfits: a clueless director, an egotistical writer/choreographer/leading lady, a scorned diva, an overlooked veteran, and the town's local druggie. But when Sam begins to fall for the leading man, things really start to get complicated. This hilarious musical follows the group's journey as they unwittingly butcher Jane Austen's beloved classic, from chaotic auditions to climactic pirate battle and tap-off. With a jazzy score and anachronisms galore, Austentatious is terrible theater at its absolute comedic best.

  • Musical Comedy
  • |
  • 100 - 120 minutes
  • 4 W, 3 M, 
  • Content Notes: Adult language and mild adult content
  • Set: Minimal; a community theater space.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-511-7

Package Details

Production Packages Include

  • 8 librettos (the book and lyrics)
  • 8 piano/vocal score
  • 1
  • 1 orchestral set (optional) including:
    • 1 bass score
    • 1 drum score

Pricing and other details are provided during the order process. Higher quantities of some items may be purchased.

Orchestral Parts

1 bass score
1 drum score

Published Reviews

"Punctuated by spangly musical numbers, this is a satirical ode to all the foibles of classic novel adaptations. From laughable plot embellishments, gratuitous violence, cringeworthy simulations of Austen's syntax, and even Colin Firth's wet shirt, nothing gets overlooked... Boasting sharp lyrics [...] and an utterly hilarious script."

Hannah Nepil, Time Out London

"From the obligatory I-love-showbiz show-stopping song, to the payoff in the group's final performance, which culminates in a tap dance contest between the Victorian protagonists, Elizabeth and Lydia Bennett, this piece hits its targets, keeps up its pacing and is very funny."

Anne Midget, The New York Times

"The writing in Austentatious--both the lyrics and book--is sharp, funny and occasionally moving and poignant... Unlike its fictional play-within-a-play, the cast of Austentatious deliver musically superb, as well as riotously funny performances."

Calgary Herald

"The best night out I have had in a theatre for a very long time...I laughed till the tears ran down my cheeks then laughed some more."

Reviews Gate London

"From its title it is obvious this is not your mother's Jane Austen...a bright, bouncy new musical that introduces a talented band of debuting writers."

TheatreScene.net

"The five-strong team of authors has bolstered the whimsical concept with jazzily attractive songs, oversized characters, and bottomless creativity when it comes to finding jokes...it ends with one of the more hilarious sequences I've seen in a long time. Who knew that Jane Austen's work could inspire so much silly fun?"

Julia Furay, CurtainUp.com

"[Austentatious] offers everything from snickers and chuckles to knee-slapping guffaws. When the troupe finally puts on its version of Pride and Prejudice, it's outrageous slapstick tomfoolery that is greeted with deafening laughter and wild applause."

Calgary Sun

"From audition to opening night, the audience is taken on a whirlwind that leaves them gasping for breath with laughter... I will instead simply state that if you love theatre, you need to see this show."

GayCalgary.com

Production History

JUL 12, 2023 - JUL 22, 2023
Walterdale Theatre Associates
Edmonton, AB Canada
Walterdale Theatre Associates Edmonton, AB Canada
APR 09, 2021 - APR 11, 2021
Valley High School
La Salle, CO United States
Valley High School La Salle, CO United States
OCT 13, 2020 - NOV 11, 2020
Linkville Players
Klamath Falls, OR United States
Linkville Players Klamath Falls, OR United States
NOV 09, 2018 - NOV 18, 2018
Winthrop High School Theatre Arts
Winthrop, ME United States
Winthrop High School Theatre Arts Winthrop, ME United States
JAN 20, 2016 - JAN 21, 2016
Watershed Theatre
Walsall, United Kingdom
Watershed Theatre Walsall, United Kingdom
AUG 04, 2015 - AUG 06, 2015
Watershed Theatre
Walsall, United Kingdom
Watershed Theatre Walsall, United Kingdom
OCT 13, 2013 - OCT 14, 2013
Lantern Theater Company
Philadelphia, PA United States
Lantern Theater Company Philadelphia, PA United States
FEB 20, 2013 - FEB 23, 2013
Aquinas College
Grand Rapids, MI United States
Aquinas College Grand Rapids, MI United States
MAR 02, 2010 - MAR 13, 2010
Forte Musical Theatre Guild
Calgary, AB Canada
Forte Musical Theatre Guild Calgary, AB Canada
MAR 04, 2009 - MAR 28, 2009
Peter Huntley Productions
London, England United Kingdom
Peter Huntley Productions London, England United Kingdom
SEP 18, 2007 - SEP 29, 2007
From the Top Productions and The New York Musical Theatre Festival
New York, NY United States
From the Top Productions and The New York Musical Theatre Festival New York, NY United States
SEP 01, 2006 - SEP 16, 2006
11th Hour Theatre Company
Philadelphia, PA United States
11th Hour Theatre Company Philadelphia, PA United States
AUG 02, 2005 - AUG 06, 2005
From the Top Productions (under the title "AmDram the Musical")
London, England United Kingdom
From the Top Productions (under the title "AmDram the Musical") London, England United Kingdom
No upcoming productions.
OCT 13, 2013 - OCT 14, 2013
Lantern Theater Company
Philadelphia, PA United States
Lantern Theater Company Philadelphia, PA United States