Jane Austen’s enduring love story is brought to life as a romantic-comedy musical. The story revolves around Emma, a well-meaning, but disaster-prone matchmaker, who ignores her own romantic feelings while setting out to find a suitor for her friend Harriet. Her efforts go awry, of course, leading to comic complications. We invite you to fall in love again with one of Jane Austen’s most adored characters, featuring an intelligent and buoyant score from Tony-nominated composer Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre).
“lovely, sweet, and has just enough tartness to keeping it all from getting too sticky to enjoy… a wonderfully charming alternative to the holiday themed shows out around this time.”Broadway World: San Diego
“I couldn’t have loved it more.”StageSceneLA
“Engrossing”Orange County Register
“flawless ‘Emma’ is a must-see… brims with effervescence and wit”Voice of OC
“I could not stop smiling… Sublime”Broadway World: Los Angeles
Mandy Foster in “Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical” at Chance Theater. Playing November 29 – December 22, 2024 at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage. Photo by Benjamin Busch from the 2018 production.
Mandy Foster and Jeff Lowe in “Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical” at Chance Theater. Playing November 29 – December 22, 2024 at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage. Photo by Benjamin Busch from the 2018 production.
Sadie Alexander and Luc Clopton in “Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical” at Chance Theater. Playing November 29 – December 22, 2024 at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage. Photo by Doug Catiller.
Mandy Foster, Blake Rhiner, Jonathon Lamer, and Elisabeth Hunter in “Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical” at Chance Theater. Playing November 29 – December 22, 2024 at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage. Photo by Doug Catiller.
Davide Costa and the cast of “Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical” at Chance Theater. Playing November 29 – December 22, 2024 at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage. Photo by Doug Catiller.
The cast of “Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical” at Chance Theater. Playing November 29 – December 22, 2024 at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage. Photo by Doug Catiller.
Glenn Koppel and Jeff Lowe in “Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical” at Chance Theater. Playing November 29 – December 22, 2024 at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage. Photo by Benjamin Busch from the 2018 production.
The cast of “Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical” at Chance Theater. Playing November 29 – December 22, 2024 at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage. Photo by Doug Catiller.
Cynthia C. Espinoza and Davide Costa in “Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical” at Chance Theater. Playing November 29 – December 22, 2024 at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage. Photo by Doug Catiller.
The cast of “Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical” at Chance Theater. Playing November 29 – December 22, 2024 at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage. Photo by Doug Catiller.
Deva Marie Gregory and Mandy Foster in “Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical” at Chance Theater. Playing November 29 – December 22, 2024 at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage. Photo by Doug Catiller.
Jonathon Lamer and Elisabeth Hunter in “Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical” at Chance Theater. Playing November 29 – December 22, 2024 at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage. Photo by Doug Catiller.
Glenn Koppel and Jeff Lowe in “Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical” at Chance Theater. Playing November 29 – December 22, 2024 at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage. Photo by Doug Catiller.
DESIGN PREVIEW PARTY & FIRST READ THROUGH
PAST PRODUCTIONS
Mandy Foster as Emma in the regional premiere of Paul Gordon’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma, The Musical”
Mandy Foster as Emma and Jeff Lowe as Mr. Knightley in the regional premiere of Paul Gordon’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma, The Musical”
Zoya Martin as Harriet Smith and Kristofer Buxton as Robert Martin in the regional premiere of Paul Gordon’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma, The Musical”
Mandy Foster as Emma and Coleton Ray as Mr. Elton in the regional premiere of Paul Gordon’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma, The Musical”
Glenn Koppel as Mr. Woodhouse and Jeff Lowe as Mr. Knightley in the regional premiere of Paul Gordon’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma, The Musical”
Megan McCarthy as Jane Fairfax, Gavin Cole as Frank Churchill, and Kristofer Buxton as Robert Martin in the regional premiere of Paul Gordon’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma, The Musical”
Kristofer Buxton as Robert Martin and Zoya Martin as Harriet Smith in the regional premiere of Paul Gordon’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma, The Musical”
Carlene O’Neill as Mrs. Elton and Coleton Ray as Mr. Elton in the regional premiere of Paul Gordon’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma, The Musical”
Sherry Domerego as Mrs. Bates and Shannon Page as Miss Bates in the regional premiere of Paul Gordon’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma, The Musical”
Coleton Ray as Mr. Elton (center) in the regional premiere of Paul Gordon’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma, The Musical”
Glenn Koppel as Mr. Woodhouse and Shannon Page as Miss Bates in the regional premiere of Paul Gordon’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma, The Musical”
Mandy Foster as Emma and Jeff Lowe as Mr. Knightley in the regional premiere of Paul Gordon’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma, The Musical”
Shannon Page as Miss Bates, Sherry Domerego as Mrs. Bates, Gavin Cole as Frank Churchill, and Mandy Foster as Emma in the regional premiere of Paul Gordon’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma, The Musical”
Glenn Koppel as Mr. Woodhouse and Shannon Page as Miss Bates in the regional premiere of Paul Gordon’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma, The Musical”
Lulu Mack as Mrs. Weston and Robin Walton as Mr. Weston in the regional premiere of Paul Gordon’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma, The Musical”
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Join us before and after the performance for a happy hour and get to know our community partners. Schedule is subject to change.
Friday, December 13 starting at 7:00 PM.
7:00 PM - Mingling in the Chance lobby over light bites and Happy Hour drinks. Be sure to meet our Community Partners!
8:00 PM - Emma, the Musical begins! We can't wait for you to see this performance!
10:30 PM - Participate in a post-show conversation with the Cast and our Community Partner.
10:45 PM - Don't leave just yet! We have a second round of bites and drinks.
It was phenomenal and the singing was great and the people were nice to look at and funny
— Anonymous
Appealing to families at the holiday season
— Anonymous
Jane Austen’s EMMA is a classic and the play’s adaptation from the novel was very well done. The lyrics and music made the novel animated and joyous. As a director, Casey Long opened up a world from 200 years ago, and we have certainly come a very long way. This was the so-called “Great Chain of Being,” where you were essentially stuck into the “class” you were born into. Glenn Koppel as Mr. Woodhouse claimed vociferously ” I don’t like change,” which reminded the audience of how it was back then and Emma’s message should remind us rather that change is good, change is necessary. The new “Great Chain of Being,” is not the chain, but the being; the opportunity to be who we want to be. EMMA was entertaining, but the CHANCE presented to us once again yet another play to ponder and learn from.
— Rob Greenfield MD
I thought I didn’t need to see it bc I saw it a few years ago at Chance. But it was lovely, confidant and fresh. Great performances!
— Anonymous
The whole cast was amazing and all staff was friendly!
— Elisabeth Tapia
Good performers especially singing voices and a familiar story
— Anonymous
The show was great — fun, funny, and everyone performing was very talented. I loved the intimacy and casual/welcoming vibe of the theater. I drove from San Diego to see my friend performing in the show and it was totally worth it!
— Anonymous
Strong vocals and acting! Enjoyable night.
— Anonymous
it was an amazing performance, the theater is fantastic, super upgraded and seems new.
Good singing, cohesive and uplifting
It was phenomenal and the singing was great and the people were nice to look at and funny
Appealing to families at the holiday season
Jane Austen’s EMMA is a classic and the play’s adaptation from the novel was very well done. The lyrics and music made the novel animated and joyous. As a director, Casey Long opened up a world from 200 years ago, and we have certainly come a very long way. This was the so-called “Great Chain of Being,” where you were essentially stuck into the “class” you were born into. Glenn Koppel as Mr. Woodhouse claimed vociferously ” I don’t like change,” which reminded the audience of how it was back then and Emma’s message should remind us rather that change is good, change is necessary. The new “Great Chain of Being,” is not the chain, but the being; the opportunity to be who we want to be. EMMA was entertaining, but the CHANCE presented to us once again yet another play to ponder and learn from.
I thought I didn’t need to see it bc I saw it a few years ago at Chance. But it was lovely, confidant and fresh. Great performances!
The whole cast was amazing and all staff was friendly!
Good performers especially singing voices and a familiar story
The show was great — fun, funny, and everyone performing was very talented. I loved the intimacy and casual/welcoming vibe of the theater. I drove from San Diego to see my friend performing in the show and it was totally worth it!
Strong vocals and acting! Enjoyable night.
it was an amazing performance, the theater is fantastic, super upgraded and seems new.
Excellent show and cast.