The Milwaukee Rep presents "Jane Eyre"

An artistic spin on a classic costume drama

I first encountered Charlotte Bronte's spirited herione as a child. It was probably some mid-nineties BBC miniseries my mom made me watch, which seemed like a good idea until the crazy lady in the attic showed up. Scarred is a strong word, but there it is. Point is, I never much cared for Jane Eyre. Her story is one of a poorly-treated orphan girl who grows up to become a governess in a great, mysterious house. A passionate romance blooms, but Jane's hopes are threatened when her master's dark secrets are revealed.






Love story or not, it's all a little creepy for my tastes. So I avoided Jane until very recently, when the Milwaukee Rep welcomed me back into her world — a world filled with more romance and redemption than I'd remembered. Still, that eerie sense of foreboding certainly outweighs any lightness in Jane's story, and the production on stage now at the Milwaukee Rep seeks to truly immerse us in that uneasy feeling — and succeeds. 

The show comes from the Shared Experience Theatre Company in the U.K., and though the hoop skirts and corsets remain, the set is entirely modern. The ominous Red Room, contemporary choreography, pulsing drum beats — it's an arty take. One that I warned my friends and Bronte purists about before their trip to the Rep. Some of those purists came away feeling like they saw Jane with new eyes; others felt the sleek set, choreographed movements, and sensory mood-setting were a bit of a distraction. 

For my part, I thoroughly enjoyed the imaginative spin and modern tendencies. Director KJ Sanchez explains that if the stage was set with Victorian furniture, they'd be moving it on and off with every scene change, of which there are countless. A streamlined set allows not only for artistic interpretation, but for more time spent in the story, rather than in scene changes.

One of my favorite creative choices in this Jane Eyre was the connection drawn between Jane and Bertha, the aforementioned crazy lady in the attic. The enchanting Rin Allen plays Bertha, as well as a physical manifestation of Jane's inner passions. Although Jane, played exquisitely by Margaret Ivey, learns to remain emotionally buttoned-up in order to survive Victorian England, Allen's ever-present foil offers a constant glimpse into our heroine's true nature. 

It's a lot for your senses to take in. I found my eyes darting around the stage many times to make sure I wasn't missing any little piece of this ever-moving work of art. Some might find that distracting, but I found it exciting — not art for art's sake, but a thoughtfully-crafted piece of theater where every movement, sound, and design choice are motivated by the story and serve a purpose. 

While much of the kudos to this production goes to the artistic vision of playwright Polly Teale and the Creative Team, like any other work staged at the Milwaukee Rep, the acting was equally superb. A personal favorite of mine was Rebecca Hirota as Jane's young pupil, Adele — a precocious, cartoonish, giddy little princess that drew lots of laughter from the audience.






I already gave a shout out to Margaret Ivey as Jane, but she deserves a second mention and round of applause. She deftly maneuvers between a woman fighting and succumbing to her passions. Those passions are directed at Mr. Rochester, played expertly by Michael Sharon who, I'm told, perfectly captures the moody, arrogant, but utterly passionate and swoon-worthy hero from Bronte's book. 

My purist friends were totally enamored with Sharon's performance, so as you see, there really is something for everybody in this Jane Eyre. If you're a traditionalist, look for those stripped down moments and stand-out performances — you will find them. But you'd do well to check the bulk of your expectations at the door, as this production is sure to upend them, whether you like it or not. But with an open mind and eye for the artistic, I dare say you'll like it very much indeed. 

Jane Eyre is playing Now through May 21st at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Information and tickets at milwaukeerep.com.