Syrie James

 

 

 

I’ve had a wonderful time writing and presenting my new original comedy JANE AUSTEN IN 48 MINUTES, in which a cheeky and wise Jane Austen and a cast of costumed actors deliver all six of Jane Austen’s novels at a lightning pace, with modern day commentary tossed in here and there for fun.

 

 

I’m thrilled to say the play was nominated as Best Special Event for the 2023 Broadway World L.A. Awards for its world premiere staged reading last April at Little Fish Theatre in San Pedro, California. The sold out performance was directed by Kathryn Farren Gallai and I was privileged to perform with a talented cast of professional actors who played all the major characters in Austen’s books.

 

My amazing cast at Little Fish Theatre: (back row, left to right) Branda Lock, Brendan Kane, Jackie Misaye, Ryan Knight, Patrick Vest; (front row) Me, Kathryn Farren Gallai.

 

 

The fun was only beginning! I directed and produced JANE AUSTEN IN 48 MINUTES at the recent JASNA AGM in Colorado, where I played the narrator Jane Austen along with a marvelous cast of JASNA luminaries (many of whom were plenary and breakout speakers at the conference) who performed with incredible flair. It was a smash hit with 450 enthusiastic attendees!

My fabulous cast at the JASNA AGM. Left to right: Janet Todd, Diana Birchall, James Nagle, Devoney Looser, me,  Paul Savidge, Francine Mathews (AKA author Stephanie Barron), and Paul Birchall.

 

 

If you will be in Southern California the first weekend of December, you have two more chances to see staged readings of JANE AUSTEN IN 48 MINUTES:

Saturday Dec. 2, 9 AM – 3:30 PM

JASNA-SW Luncheon Meeting

UCLA Faculty Club, 480 Charles E Young Drive E, Los Angeles CA 90095

The event includes lunch, two other speakers, the play, and a Holiday Emporium. It is open to both JASNA-SouthWest members and non-members. Register here.

 

Sunday Dec. 3 at 7 PM

Kentwood Players (Westchester Playhouse) Sunday Reading Series

8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles CA 90045

A pay-what-you-wish fundraiser. No reservations necessary. Come early to grab a seat. Donations graciously accepted at the door. All money goes to support the theatre. Details here.

I’m playing Jane Austen along with a talented troupe of professional actors from Little Fish Theatre that includes Kathryn Farren Gallai, Brendan Kane, Melissa Booey, Ben Campbell, Don Schlossman, and Shirley Ritter Hatton.

 

Kentwood Players has organized a book chat and signing to coordinate with its staged reading of JANE AUSTEN IN 48 MINUTES:

 

 

Please join me on Sunday Nov. 26 at 3 PM as I discuss and sign my novels at The Book Jewel, 6259 W. 87^th Street, Los Angeles CA 90045.

You don’t have to know anything about Jane Austen to enjoy JANE AUSTEN IN 48 MINUTES. It’s 48 minutes of fun that you don’t want to miss!