Originally set to end its run this weekend, The Classic Theatre’s ‘Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley’ has been extended through December 30 due to popular demand. The San Antonio premiere of this charming sequel to Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is on the fast track to becoming the newest holiday tradition. This weekend’s show times are completely sold out and next weekend’s performances are on Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m.

Merry Christmas from Mr. and Mrs. Darcy of Pemberley Estate. ‘Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley’ is set in England in 1815 where the popular ‘Pride and Prejudice’ characters return in a holiday setting. The story takes place in a large drawing room with a new German-inspired decoration called a Christmas tree and an attached library. This time, the bookish, often neglected middle sister Mary Bennet is the center of the story. Mary is an avid reader and accomplished musician and opens the play by asking through a letter whether one can live a large life in the mind while remaining alone. She comes off as humorless and preachy whose unfortunate destiny is as a spinster. That is, until fate steps in and she meets her intellectual equal in the shy, bookworm Arthur de Bourgh, who turns up unexpectantly at the estate a few days before Christmas. He has inherited the family estate following Lady Catherine’s recent death and is facing an uncertain future. Mary now has her own romantic entanglement and must learn to be the heroine of her own story if she wishes to have someone with whom to share her life.

Mary is the stereotypical middle child, the neglected sibling who in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ receives no more than a few mentions. This time around, she is the star of ‘Miss Bennet’ and the unlikely heroine in a geek’s love story. It has the same social rituals that Jane Austen fans know and love as well as the pomposity of social classes and the humor that crosses all barriers. While those familiar with the novels and the characters’ backstory will no doubt enjoy this classic, new-comers will have no problem getting into the plot. The Bingleys and Darcys already have their happily ever after and this is Mary’s time to shine. Since the social interactions between the genders and society’s expectations are timeless and relevant in any time period,  the time period is mostly irrelevant. Alyx Gonzales perfectly conveys Mary’s frustrations and is brilliantly paired with Hunter Wulff who brings the nerdy and socially awkward Arthur to life. Wonderful performances all around. The period costumes are gorgeous and the holiday setting gives ‘Miss Bennet’ a warm, inviting feel and that makes this a must-see show to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.