Pride and Prejudice Adapted by Melissa Leilani Larson
A witty story about love, pride, and second chances in Regency England, revealing the humor and heart beneath society’s polished surface.
What the play is about?
Melissa Leilani Larson's stage adaptation of Pride and Prejudice brings Jane Austen's classic to life with a fresh theatrical sensibility. The play centers on Elizabeth Bennet, a sharp-witted young woman who clashes with the reserved and seemingly aloof Mr. Darcy, setting the stage for a romance filled with misunderstandings and personal growth.
Larson's version preserves the novel's wit and social commentary while emphasizing the emotional journeys of its characters. Through a series of compelling interactions, Elizabeth and Darcy confront their own flaws—pride and prejudice—and gradually come to understand and appreciate each other beyond initial judgments.
This adaptation has been praised for its balance of humor, heart, and fidelity to Austen's themes, making it accessible to both longtime fans and newcomers. With its engaging dialogue and dynamic character portrayals, the play continues to resonate with audiences, highlighting the enduring relevance of Austen's insights into human relationships and societal expectations.
Cast & Creative
Learn more about the amazing people who perform in and work behind the scenes at The Charitable Acts Theater
Pride and Prejudice Cast
Madeleine Mustard became interested in theater arts in high school, playing supporting roles in Much Ado About Nothing, The Music Man, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Harvey. She took a break from theater to start a family and is now thrilled to be back with such an incredibly talented cast and crew to perform with at the CAT! When she’s not involved in theater, she likes to sing, dance, hike, swim, surf, and keep active with her husband and 3 rambunctious little boys outdoors!
You must allow Connor to tell you how ardently he admires and loves this show, this cast, and the amazing crew who brought this production together. Connor has performed most recently at the Hale Center Theater Orem in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Additionally, he has performed in Midway, The University of Utah, Westminster University, and Hale Center Theater West Valley. Connor must thank his wonderful Mom and older sister, for introducing him to the world of Pride and Prejudice and always cheering him on.
As an adamant lover of both romance novels and theatre, Bethany is elated to play Jane Bennet! Other past roles include Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, Tansy McGinnis in The Nerd, Megan Jones in Puffs, and Viola in Twelfth Night.
When she’s not onstage or going to school for Criminal Justice, Bethany enjoys relaxing in the sun, painting, and eating jam on toast.
Born in Rupert, ID, Timothy Dayley took to the stage as early as he was allowed, engaging in high school and community theater and vocal performance as early as eight years old. He has had the opportunity to play diverse roles, from a psychopathic murderer (Arsenic and Old Lace, 2023), to a singing and dancing crab (The Little Mermaid, 2020), and now a well-to-do Regency Englishman. When he’s not onstage, Timothy enjoys a wide range of niche hobbies, and attends school at USU majoring in psychology. He finds this background especially useful in theater as it helps him get into his characters’ heads and understand them on a deeper level. He is excited to portray Charles Bingley in this production of Pride and Prejudice!
David is pleased to join Charitable Acts Theatre in his hometown of Midway. Performing on stage is usually a family affair for the McMasters and he is happy to join his two sons for this production.
David has previously appeared locally as Captain Georg von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Rooster in Annie, and Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man.
He is grateful to this fabulous cast and production team who shared a common goal to get to the finish line.
“The distance is nothing when one has a motive!”
(June 2nd-6th, 7th 7:30pm performance, and June 9th)
Thrilled to be joining Charitable Acts Theatre, Nathan is excited to bring to life the esteemed Mr. Bennet in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." Some of his past roles include Jack in "The Importance of Being Earnest," Paul in "Barefoot In the Park," and Axel in "The Nerd." When not on stage, Nathan enjoys his most important roles as a father of four and husband to the most supportive wife a man could have. Nathan is also an enthusiastic Dungeon Master, leading his friends on regular role-playing adventures.
(June 7th 2pm matinee, and the 10th-14th all performances)
Madelynn Hunter is an America Soprano who grew up in Derby, Kansas. Ms. Hunter received her Bachelor's degree in Classical Voice Performance from Brigham Young University in 2021.
Mrs. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice is Madelynn’s first role in a straight play. She is so excited to share this work and so grateful for this wonderful opportunity that Charitable Acts Theater has provided her. She has performed with Lyrical Opera Theater as Michaëla in Carmen. She also performed Nedda in Pagliacci and La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi for the same company. Ms. Hunter has competed in numerous competitions. She loves the opportunity she has to share beautiful music with those around her.
Shaelyn (Shae) Dover is delighted to be joining the cast of Pride and Prejudice. She has previously performed in Fiddler on the Roof and Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, and is excited to return to the stage. Shae works full time and cherishes the time she gets to spend with her beautiful family. When she’s not performing, she enjoys listening to music and making memories with loved ones. She would like to thank her family for their endless support, as well as the wonderful friends she’s made throughout this production!
Brooke Testi is an actress based in Heber City and currently attends Wasatch High School. She has been a performer for over half a decade and has had roles in productions like Phantom of The Opera, Fiddler on the Roof and Nuncrackers, but her favorite role was playing Clairee in the high school's production of Steel Magnolias. Most recently, she competed in the 5A State theatre competition where she received 5th place overall in the dramatic monologue category.
Brianna Zabaldo is super excited to be in Pride and Prejudice! At 17, she has already taken the stage in several productions, including Phantom of the Opera at Wasatch High School, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe with Ethos Acting Studio, and several Charitable Acts Theatre productions such as Arsenic and Old Lace and Our Town. She can’t wait to step into this new role and gain even more experience.
As she looks forward to her senior year, she’s thrilled to take part in this classic Jane Austen story as Kitty Bennet, sharing the laughter and love of Pride and Prejudice with such a fantastic team. It's going to be an unforgettable journey!
Mia is relatively new to acting and is soon going into highschool. She's done school plays and excited to be in this production. In her free time, Mia loves to draw and watch cartoons.
Jessica has been in love with theatre ever since she can remember. From wearing out her VHS tape of Cinderella to her first show in college, she has relished in every opportunity to take part in productions. Jessica has been enjoying exploring Utah theatre since graduating with her B.A. in Theatre in 2022. Her favorite role to date is Ruth Condomine from “Blithe Sprits”, but Charlotte Lucas is quickly rising in the ranks! This is Jessica’s second production with CAT and she couldn’t be happier to be here!
Jonno Yusko, also known as Jon Spector, is hyped to make his debut at the Charitable Acts Theatre as Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice. In addition, Jonno also serves as the dialect coach on this production. In the past, Jon has worked as a props artisan, actor, model, dialect coach and director. Last year, Jon appeared in A Christmas Carol at the Hale Center Theater in Orem. He has performed in several plays as well as short films at BYU-Idaho, where he graduated with a degree in Theatre Studies. A hobby linguist, Jon loves listening to accents and dialects and bestows each of his characters with a unique idiolect. On Thursdays, Jon teaches acting classes for all ages at Provo School of the Arts. Jon loves reading, trying new recipes, and being outside. His favorite snack is a banana smoothie and his shoe size is 9.5.
Layton is excited to be back home in Midway to perform in Pride and Prejudice. He has been in several other local productions in the Heber Valley, some of his favorite roles being Gomez in Addams Family and Ephraim in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He is especially excited this time to be sharing the stage with his brother and dad. May the show be as enjoyable as our sideburns are long!
Cannon is thrilled to be doing a thing in this play, on this stage, with these people. Past credits include nothing. Cannon would like to thank his girlfriend for making this possible.
After 15 years perfecting pliés and pirouettes with Lake Cities Ballet Theater Company, Ciera Kizerian traded pointe shoes for pregnancy cravings and discovered chasing three children requires surprisingly similar stamina. When not wielding her camera (her artistic weapon since 2008), reading regency romance novels, or working backstage magic with makeup and hair, she’s mastering the art of method acting with husband Steele—whose name is perfectly suited for a romance novel hero.
This stage debut feels natural for someone who’s spent years directing dancers and children with equal grace and determination. After all, who better to play a woman of exacting standards than a mother of three who’s been perfecting imperious glances and haughty expressions long before Caroline Bingley came calling? She promises the role feels like a refreshing vacation from her usual performance as “mom who has everything under control.”
Addie Isenbarger is fifteen years old and a resident of Heber. She enjoys reading, singing, dancing, and art. Theater is one of her favorite art forms, and she is super excited to be playing Georgiana Darcy. This is her first theater production, although she hopes it will be the first of many more.
As an East Coast transplant to Midway in 2013, Pat immediately embraced the arts culture of the Heber Valley. A Theatre graduate from the University of Maryland, Pat has sung, danced or acted in over 45 productions. She not only loves the arts, but also is president of the Wasatch Arts Council since 2017 and currently sits on the planning board working to build an Arts Center and Amphitheater located above Heber;s UVU campus.
This is Beth's first performance and she is thrilled it is with CAT. She loves seeing the process of a show from start to finish and what better way to be introduced into the world of theater than with Pride and Prejudice.
New to the stage, Thomas is making his second theatrical appearance with CAT. An avid saxophone player and ant enthusiast, Thomas has been a member of the Wasatch High School Marching Band for three years, during which the band placed 2nd in 2022 and 2023, and 1st in 2024. His saxophone quartet recently took first place at the Utah Solo & Ensemble State and Regional Championships, and his Science Olympiad team won first place in entomology at the 2025 state competition. Thomas will be a senior at WHS this fall.
Sophi Briggs is thrilled to be a part of Pride and Prejudice! A junior at Wasatch High School, she previously appeared in Phantom of the Operaas a member of the ensemble. When not on stage, Sophi enjoys painting, singing in her school choir, and reading. She would like to thank her castmates, the director Carrie Zabaldo, her mom Marci Briggs, and all her family and friends for their constant support!
Zoe Fetters (Ensemble) is excited to be making her stage debut in Charitable Acts Theatre’s production of Pride and Prejudice. Zoe previously worked behind the scenes on stage crew for school productions and High Valley Arts’ production of “A Christmas Story, the Musical.” Zoe is excited to step onto the stage and experience theater from a new perspective. Zoe has had a great time with the cast and crew in rehearsals and is grateful to her friends for encouraging her to try something new.
Jayden LaRose is thrilled to be part of this wonderful production. Hailing from Green River, WY, Jayden's passion for theater began in 8th grade with her role as a nun in The Sound of Music. This experience opened doors to various productions, including Sleeping Beauty (Jester/Ensemble), A Christmas Carol (crew), and Fiddler on the Roof (crew). Currently studying for her Bachelor's in Elementary Education at BYU, Jayden is grateful for her supportive loved ones. Special thanks to her mom, Danel, partner Kaleb, and daughter Wren for brightening her world.
Pride and Prejudice Cast
It has been an absolute privilege to work with this remarkable cast and crew. Their passion, creativity, and dedication have brought Pride and Prejudice to life in ways that are both moving and full of joy.
Jane Austen’s classic reminds us that people can grow, change, and surprise us—often in the most beautiful ways. I believe this team has done just that.
We’re also proud to share that all proceeds from this production benefit Peace House, supporting survivors of domestic violence. Your presence tonight helps create real change beyond the stage.
Thank you for supporting live theater—and this incredible team.
Mindy had fun diving into the Regency and English Country dances to choreograph Pride and Prejudice and enjoyed seeing her all her boys perform in one of her favorite shows! Mindy trained in ballet with Mikal Cassalino’s School of Creative Arts in Salt Lake, performed with Ballet West, and competed on the University of Utah Ballroom Dance Team. A Midway resident for over 15 years, Mindy has continued to keep her creative outlet alive through teaching dance and theater with several Theater Organizations in the valley. She currently serves as Executive Director of Midway Playhouse and the Arts Pillar Chair on the Wasatch County Community Foundation Board.
This is Beth's first performance and she is thrilled it is with CAT. She loves seeing the process of a show from start to finish and what better way to be introduced into the world of theater than with Pride and Prejudice.
This is Beverly’s third production with CAT. She enjoys using her sewing and design talent to bring friends and the greater community together to create beauty. Beverly is so grateful for the miracle of finding Mark and Rachel and friends who are regency experts. We could not have put on such a show without them! Beverly runs her Beverly Cutting Expert Alterations business when not sewing for CAT.
My husband and I moved to Heber City 15 years ago from Cache Valley. I spent many years working in Marketing and have been retired for about two years. Now that I have more free time, I enjoy sewing, quilting, riding my bike and reading.
Pride and Prejudice is the second production I have had the opportunity of helping with costumes. Costume management can be challenging but at the same time I have learned so many new things. The interaction with all those who are on the sewing team has been great and it has created new friendships. Thanks to all of you.
Rachel Bergquist descended from a long line of sewists and tailors. After working to make custom bridal gowns and alterations for ten years, she decided to finish her education by enrolling in fashion school, which she has nearly completed. A long-time fan of the beauty and colors of the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film, in 2018, she tried her hand at creating Historical clothing. She fell in love with the simplicity of Regency style and now spends her free time recreating Regency fashion plates and sharing them via social media.
Arlem Hawks fell in love with Austen’s world as a child and first tried her hand at writing Regency romance in her 20s. She has been writing and publishing books set in the extended Regency period ever since. Studying Austen novels and making pilgrimages to Austen sites have filled her with a deeper love for the woman who paved the way for female authors. She has been involved in historical costume, dance, and events for the last six years.
Mary Rino has spent most of her life sewing; starting her career right out of high school, working at the costume shops for Utah Opera, Ballet West, and various movie productions. in 2017 she joined as adjunct faculty, teaching at SLCC’s Fashion Institute. After a decade in the fast paced wedding alteration scene, she retired in 2021, joined a historical sewing group and hasn’t stopped sewing historical clothing and attending events. Her love of Jane Austen matches her love of history. Traveling the world, walking the streets of Bath in regency attire, and attending the Masked Ball at the palace of Versailles have been the highlights of her new historical passion.
I have always loved tactile history but only recently discovered the Regency Era. I am fascinated that I can dress in period clothing and dance in historic buildings. After traveling to Bath for the Jane Austen Festival in 2019, I walked into a local sewing shop in Orem and bravely stated “Teach me how to sew a waistcoat”. Since that fateful day, I have sewn suits, waistcoats, breeches and even my own stockings! I always try to learn one more skill on each new outfit I make. Last year, I created an entire Mr Collins outfit, which is featured in this play. My wife, Shannah, and I still travel to Bath each year where we participate in the Jane Austen Festival and dance at balls, promenade in the parks, look for fabric for new outfits, and participate in living history. You can follow my adventures on Instagram at @theregencyguy
Abigail is thrilled to return to the theatre in Pride and Prejudice, her second production with Charitable Acts Theatre. Her first—and favorite—role was as a scarer in CAT's Afterdark at the Mortuary, a Halloween production held at the Heber Valley Funeral Home. Outside of theater, Abigail enjoys drawing, painting, writing, and playing scary video games (while pretending not to be scared). She will be a sophomore at Wasatch High School this fall.
Nathan Zabaldo is a seasoned software developer with over 20 years of experience, known for creating solutions used by the US Military. He is married to Carrie Zabaldo, the Founder and Director of Charitable Acts Theatre (CAT). Nathan loves the outdoors, hiking, UTV'ing, and values spending quality time with his family. He's immensely proud of Carrie, and her vision for CAT, and for her service to the Heber Valley and surrounding communities.
Pride and Prejudice Cast
This is Beth's first performance and she is thrilled it is with CAT. She loves seeing the process of a show from start to finish and what better way to be introduced into the world of theater than with Pride and Prejudice.
New to the stage, Thomas is making his second theatrical appearance with CAT. An avid saxophone player and ant enthusiast, Thomas has been a member of the Wasatch High School Marching Band for three years, during which the band placed 2nd in 2022 and 2023, and 1st in 2024. His saxophone quartet recently took first place at the Utah Solo & Ensemble State and Regional Championships, and his Science Olympiad team won first place in entomology at the 2025 state competition. Thomas will be a senior at WHS this fall.
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