Over the years, Broadway has kept the legacy alive with shows that may have not run that long but still earned a huge cult following. One of those notable shows celebrated its 20th Anniversary last year….. a musical adaptation of the legendary classic novel Jane Eyre.
In case any may not know, JANE EYRE is based on the 1947 novella by Charlotte Brontë. Set in Gateshead, it tells the story of an orphaned English girl who takes a governess job at the home of a mysterious man. Along the way, the girl discovers secrets about the man and eventually falls in love. This musical adaptation features a score by Paul Gordan and a book by John Caird. Notable songs include FORGIVENESS, SWEET LIBERTY, SECRECT SOUL, THE PLEDGE, SIRENS, FAREWELL GOOD ANGEL, and BRAVE ENOUGH FOR LOVE.
JANE EYRE THE MUSICAL was originally developed through an early workshop back in 1995 at the Manhattan Theatre Club. A few months later, a full work-in-progress workshop production was put up at the Centre Theatre in Wichita, Kansas. During the workshop, minor roles and the large ensemble of schoolgirls for the scenes at Brocklehurst’s school were cast by Kansas locals. Meanwhile the main New York workshop continued on headlining. It was well received, a full concept cast album was recorded allowing to help bring the show to Broadway.
The show had its world premiere full scale production in Toronto, Canada playing the Royal Alexandra Theatre the following year of 1996. The creative team continued working on the show along with fundraising continuing to support the show’s future. A 2nd production which would go on to become the show’s Pre-Broadway tryout happened in 1999 at the La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, California.
Finally in December of 2000, JANE EYRE made its Broadway Debut playing the Brooks Atkinson Theatre for 36 previews and 209 regular performances. Under the direction of John Caird and Scott Schwartz, the cast was led by….
Marla Schaffel in the titular role,
James Barbour as “Edward Fairfax Rochester”,
Mary Stout in the dual roles of “Mrs. Fairfax” and “Marigold”,
Elizabeth DeGrazia as “Blanche Ingram”,
Lisa Musser as “Young Jane Eyre”,
Andrea Bowen as “Adèle Varens”,
Stephen R. Buntrock as “St. John Rivers”,
and more.
The musical earned mixed reviews. However, it was closed due to extreme low ticket sales after the Tony nominations were revealed. Initially set to close on May 20th, 2001, Alanis Morissette herself (who also is a friend of Paul Gordon) purchased bought $150,000 worth of tickets to the musical and donated them to various charity groups….. it would go on to keep the show running a little longer just in time for the Tonys. It would eventually close a week afterwards.
JANE EYRE was nominated for 5 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL and BEST SCORE (for Paul Gordan). However, it lost all the categories. However, Marla Schaffel (who was Tony nominated as BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL) went on to win its only Drama Desk category as OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL.
Today, JANE EYRE has been performed in schools, community, and regional theaters everywhere.
How beautiful is this musical?
Any fans of JANE EYRE?!!!
