Catherine: Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey in Today's L.A.

The romantic fiction-obsessed heroine of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is resurrected to 21st Century L.A. life in Stina Pederson’s enjoyable if flawed Catherine, now getting a barest bones Hollywood Fringe Festival World Premiere under Krista Amigone’s direction. Click on "Original Article" to read my full review at StageSceneLA.com... full review

With a comfortable running time near that of a Netflix episode, "Catherine" is a delightfully brisk and perky update/condensation of Austen's famous novel. The show plays something like the film "Clueless" without the slapstick and dumb-blonde sensibility--"Catherine"'s author obviously knows that one of the keys to Austen is the strength of the female characters despite their Victorian trappings. It's fun to see old-fashioned romance storytelling, with all the "will they or won't they?" misunderstandings, in a modern setting and this piece makes a good argument that such stories can still work. The updates to the tale, far from being intrusive, are fun and clever. Too say too much about these updates would be to rob a potential viewer of ... full review

This show made me want to read Jane Austen, and that's truly a feat! This well-cast show features a small ensemble of strong actors. The shows title character carries the show well with her interpretation of sometimes naive, yet always captivating Catherine. Brendan Weinhold in the role of the hopeful suitor is both funny and endearing. Well-scripted and directed, and a strong fringe-piece. Ray Burley Productions never fails to deliver on affordable, smart theater. ... full review

Northanger Abbey is certainly the most neglected of Jane Austen’s novels. It was only published posthumously, and its characters have not, to my knowledge, been faced by zombies or forced to solve murder mysteries in their homes. But, if Catherine and her Northanger friends haven’t achieved immortality like Darcy or Emma, they have their own attractions. Something that was noticed by playwright Stina Pederson with her modern adaptation of the book, Catherine (The title Austen had chosen for the novel). Full review at "original article."... full review

Unfamiliar with the source material, I went in seeing what I could get without knowing a basic synopsis. I think they created a solid modernization. The plot was realistic and I enjoyed watching the story unfold. Congrats to the cast and creative team for putting it all together!... full review

This was well written and acted. Smooth updating of the time and place. Loved the inclusion of some original dialogue from the original - deftly handled.... full review

Outstanding writing, brilliant acting, and magnificent staging - few simple props and WOW! I'm clueless about Jane Austen's work (I know, hanging my head in shame), but I'm not clueless about Stina Pederson or Brendan Weinhold - so I signed up for a show. I'm still a fairly new actor, but I'm a life-long reader and long-time appreciator of acting talent. I know it takes really great writing to bring out a really great performance, and this production fills that bill. Bravo. Gonna see if I can round up some folks to come with me so I can see it again before the run is over.... full review

A chance meeting at a coffee shop is where it all starts. CATHERINE, written by Stina Pederson and featuring the talents of Brendan Cadigan Weinhold and a cast of many in a simple adventure in Los Angeles that takes some crazy turns. These hilarious moments are part of the Hollywood Fringe located at the Theatre Asylum on 1078 Lillian Way. See it.... full review

I enjoyed how the tone of the play still reflected Jane Austen, even when set in modern times. Lovely performance by the main actress.... full review

The strongest aspects of this production are so clear, the writing and the casting. Pederson's script captures Austin's wit and pace. It's well written and lends itself to the stage very well. The strongest performances are delivered by the title role Catherine, Allison Powell, and her love interest Henry, Brendan Weinhold. However, the ensemble cast presents characters that elicit great reactions and convey strong points of view. The personalities of everyone are very clear. This is a piece that has heart- Powell often doing what the audience wishes they could do with the other cast members- and achieves its goal of "make[ing] you feel happy or idealistic or less alone in our metropolis."... full review