Syrie James

 

I had the great pleasure to direct and costume my new play “Jane Austen in 89 Minutes” which ran from Sept. 20 – Oct. 13 at Theatre 40, Beverly Hills’ award-winning professional theatre company. I had a top notch cast and a beautiful set, and I’m thrilled to say it received rave reviews.

The show, in which a madcap cast of ladies and gents deliver condensed versions of all 6 of Jane Austen’s beloved novels at a lightning pace, played to packed houses at Theatre 40 and received 5 award nominations in the Broadway World L.A. 2024 Awards, including Best New Play, Best Director, Best Costume Design, Best Ensemble, and Best Supporting Performer (Michael Mullen).

“Jane Austen fans are guaranteed to go gaga for Jane Austen In 89 Minutes, Syrie James’s deliciously clever retelling of every single novel Jane ever published, now getting a scintillatingly performed World Premiere production at Theatre 40.”

—Steven Stanley, StageSceneLA

The show was such an audience favorite that we’re remounting at the historic Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, Jan. 29 – Feb. 9.  Greystone Mansion is an exquisite, 46,000 sq ft Tudor-style manor home built in 1928 and set on 16 acres of terraced and landscaped grounds. I will be a thrill to perform the play at this amazing venue. (For ticket info visit the Theatre 40 website.)

 

 

CLICK on the image above to watch a brief video with clips from the show.

 

 

“The cast takes on multiple – all equally hysterical – roles (from) Austen’s books.”

—Elaine Mura, Splash Magazines

 

 

 

On Stage Raw’s Top Ten Shows in LA!

“Recommended! James’s wryness effectively balances the delightfully over-the-top performers, who frequently step outside their characters to offer caustic observations. The broad humor is countered by James’s deep knowledge of her subject, which gives unexpected depth to this diverting and informative enterprise.”—Stage Raw

 

 

 

The play was produced by David Hunt Stafford and featured a cast of talented professional actors including Todd Andrew Ball, Alison Blanchard. Megan Deford, Steven G. Frankenfield, Michael Mullen, Katyana Rocker-Cook, and Holly Sidell.

 

 

 

An earlier 48-minute version of the play was nominated as Best Special Event in the Broadway World L.A. Awards. I’m excited about the prospects for this expanded version which enabled me to add more key plot moments, Regency ballroom dancing, modern day Jane Austen fans, and all kinds of hilarity.

 

 

Here I am on the set of “Jane Austen in 89 Minutes” before one of the shows.

 

 

 

Tickets for the Greystone Mansion remount of this production Jan. 29-Feb. 9 2025 are available at the Theatre 40 website!