As the mother of four daughters, Mrs. Bennet is preoccupied with their individual marriage prospects. In the nineteenth century, property ownership isn't a privilege afforded to women, and so Mrs. Bennet is right to worry; if her husband should pass away before all four girls are betrothed, they'll be penniless. Three-fourths of her children seem to understand the risks, but for second-oldest daughter Elizabeth, men and marriage are a distant second to books and sharp conversation. When the eligible bachelor Mr. Darcy moves to town, the Bennet household is a-twitter with thoughts of weddings. Too bad Elizabeth takes an immediate dislike to the man, and vice versa. Jane Austen's much loved romantic novel
Pride and Prejudice is streamlined and somewhat modernized in Christopher Baker's stage adaptation, but the charm and the sparks remain. The Repertory Theatre St. Louis presents
Pride and Prejudice as an early gift this holiday season. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday (December 6 to 29; no shows on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day) at the Loretto-Hilton Center (130 Edgar Road;
www.repstl.org). Tickets are $20 to $99.50.