Tim Nguyen and Cara Sowers Courtesy of elite Dance and Theatre

Cheri, who seems to have limitless energy, not only wrote the adaptation but also directs and designed the costumes, sound, set, and props. She choreographed the show along with Ben Costales, Tianna Cooney, Sarah Massey, and Tim Nguyen.

There is not as much dancing in this production as there has been in previous elite shows I have seen, but there is more music. The choice of music is nothing if not eclectic: from "Let's Fall in Love" (sounds like Stephane Grappelli playing it) to electronica. Anachronistic, since the scene is set in Jane Austen's time, but who cares? It's a cool reimagining.

Something new is that several of the actors sing pop songs that most of us know, but they have to sing them a cappella. Their voices may not be strong, but they're just right for the emotion they are conveying. Of course, there's Jane Austen's dialogue, too, and the cast, every one of them, deliver it expertly.

I don't really need to go much into the plot. It's the classic story of a couple who dislike each other at first and end up falling in love. Shakespeare did something similar with Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, but I'm sure he wasn't the first to use this trope. In the very first sentence of the book, marriage is mentioned and, sure enough, three of the five Bennet sisters are married by the end.

We are concerned mostly with Elizabeth Bennet and the very wealthy Mr. Darcy. Social strictures based on class and money are impediments to their coming together, but you know that it will all work out. Miss Bennet is given a lovely performance by Cara Sowers, and Tim Nguyen is terrific as Mr. Darcy. His facial expressions and body language are just right for the role.

It's a large cast, 18 actors. They all deserve recognition, but some of the standouts are Pamela Reeves as Mrs. Bennet, Dexter Cooney as Mr. Bingley, Aaron Mastriani as Mr. Collins, and Shaelyn Pozun for her purposefully awful rendition of "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Cheri Costales (the first time I have seen her perform) has an extended cameo as Lady Catherine de Bourgh and is absolutely hilarious. More comedy in the future, please.

If you're a Jane Austen fan and even if you're not, you almost certainly will enjoy this production. It's a skillful abridgement and an imaginative staging of a true classic. elite always does good work, and this is one of their best.

Pride and Prejudice, runs through April 25, 2026, at elite Dance and Theatre, 701 Osuna NE, Albuquerque AZ. Performances Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. For tickets and information, please visit elitedancetheatre.com.