By Eva Trieger
SAN DIEGO – In an adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s Vanity Fair, audiences will observe the parallel lives of two women and ponder Thackery’s questions, “Which of us is happy in the world? Which of us has his desire? or, having it, is satisfied?” The play revolves around the immorality and pettiness derived from the societal precepts of Vanity Fair. Social climbing and acquisition of wealth are of the highest import in this vapid and artificial early nineteenth century town.
I spoke with director Jacquelyn Ritz, in a phone interview a few weeks ago. This dynamic director, teacher, actor, and mom has appeared on many local stages as well as on television and in films. This particular show has been on her radar for some time and was slated to open just as COVID shut the world down in 2019. That experience only reinforced Ritz’ understanding that “we just get this one life, what is enough?” This helped her look even more deeply into the characters’ struggle. “Are we able to recognize Happiness once we have it?”
Ritz explained that what she loves about this production is its theatricality. The immediacy of this play is live and visceral. While COVID confined us to viewing theater on little screens or boxes, the live play in the theater is expansive and unlimited in opportunity. Staging for this show is wildly important, and the seven actors are constantly moving through space in 35 different roles. This version was written by a woman, who took Thackeray’s play and tweaked it. The play is engaging and inclusive. Audience members will see themselves in the host of characters and question their own tendency to judge others.
The director told me that she believes audiences will enjoy and relate to the music, dancing, singing and the pace of this production. She stated that she hopes they will think a bit more deeply about what they do and why they do it. “What do you want? What will you do to get it and will know when you’ve got it?”
The cast and characters of Vanity Fair include Alyssa Anne Austin (Becky Sharp), Dagmar Krause Fields (Lord Steyne, Manager, Miss Matilda Crawley), Sara Blanche Hayes (Jos, the King, others), Parth Kichloo (Rawdon Crawley, others), Justin Lang (Dobbin, others), Mikaela Rae Macias (Amelia Sedley), and Mashun Tucker (George, others, choreographer, lighting assistant).
I was curious to know what Ritz has learned about directing and was told that she likes to ask questions of her actors because they need to experience their emotions and reactions. Ritz explained that she serves as a manager but gives ownership to each actor to find their own take on something. She encourages them to unearth the layers in this shared process. While Ritz created the shape, tone and the style of this 2024 take on an 1840s world, it is the actors and the contemporary audience that will inhabit it.
A fearless actor in her own right, Ritz has taken on some very challenging roles. One incredibly demanding and equally rewarding role was that of The Baroness in Lempicka. The West Coast premiere was produced in 2022. Sharing the stage with Eden Espinosa required bravery. Ritz knew she had “life in the theater, but I was also a mom for ten years. During that time I had back burnered acting.” Giving 100% of herself on stage and at home was not easy, and Ritz credits her supportive husband and family. Being surrounded by world-class actors in such an emotional play was both “thrilling and terrifying.”
Ritz reported that she is very eager to direct Vanity Fair but would also like to direct Tigers Be Still and many of the delicious comedies by Sarah Ruhl. As an actress, does Ritz have any favorite/dream costars? I was told that she found working with Eden Espinosa scintilating, and would jump at the chance to work with Meryl Streep and Tom Doherty.
Storytelling, the foundation of theater, has been a persistent force driving Jacquelyn Ritz to the stage since she was little. She recalled that her mother took her and her six siblings to Bonfils, a Denver landmark, often, where she was enthralled by Tom Sawyer and other productions for children. Though Ritz studied English and Communications as an undergrad, there was no denying the lure of the stage, and by graduate school she found herself poised to share her gifts and stories through film, stage, and music.
San Diego audiences will be treated to a performance of original compositions and choreography as we travel with Becky and Amelia on the hairpin turns of Vanity Fair’s streets. And as we will be judging their morals, choices and actions, who will be judging ours?
Vanity Fair will run at Scripps Ranch Theatre May 23-June 16. Tickets may be purchased at boxoffice@scrippsranchtheatre.org or by phone at 858.395.0573
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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts.