Nuance counts for a lot in TheatreWorks play based on Jane Austen's works

"'I am not a historian and I am not a dramaturg, but what I am is a very nerdy and very curious actor,' Le Blanc said. 'In my own acting career, it is probably three-quarters classical work, and I've done a ton of Shakespeare, as well as lots of adaptations of Dickens or Jane Austen. I also took ballet for 12 years, which really helps.'"

"The title is much more than fanciful. Building the world of the British Regency era means understanding the span of time from the early 1800s through around 1820. Sharing fine details of the period and passing that knowledge to her cast is Le Blanc's main task. Curtsies, snubs, sleights and behavior becoming (or unbecoming) of a Regency woman must pass a certain muster, because the world of the play is dependent upon dramaturgical accuracy."

"Artistic director Giovanna Sardelli, who is directing the show, leans toward such accuracy but loves the timeliness of Austen's works, which include classics such as 'Pride and Prejudice' 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Emma.' What gives the stories, and Austen's characters, such longevity (Austen, who died at 41, will have her 250th birthday celebrated during the run) is how coming-of-age stories for young women speak to all generations."

Jennifer Le Blanc functions as a Regency etiquette consultant, coaching authentic behavior, gestures and social customs for a Jane Austen–inspired stage production. Le Blanc's background is largely classical acting with substantial Shakespeare experience, numerous adaptations of Dickens and Austen, and 12 years of ballet training that aid physical coaching. The consulting role covers the British Regency span from the early 1800s through about 1820 and includes teaching curtsies, snubs, sleights and proper conduct for Regency women. Director Giovanna Sardelli values historical accuracy while embracing Austen's enduring themes of belonging, being seen, love and relevance across generations, and Austen's 250th birthday coincides with the run.

Read at The Mercury News