Jane Austen's "EMMA" - a musical by Paul Gordon - Cannon Theatre (Devens, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Steven Kosakow as “Mr. Knightly” with Madi Crory as “Emma Woodhouse” in a scene from Paul Gordon's musical adaptation of Jane Austen's "EMMA" now playing at the Cannon Theatre in Devens, MA. until May 31, 2026. Photo Courtesy Cannon Theatre)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“Something must be wrong - I can not believe that I have loved him all along!”
- ("Emma") / Jane Austen, Paul Gordon
The Cannon Theatre
Presents Paul Gordon's musical adaptation
of Jane Austen's
"EMMA"
Written by Jane Austen
Adapted by Paul Gordon
Directed and Choreographed by Shawn Cannon
Music Director Emily Stratton
Cast Includes: Madi Crory as “Emma Woodhouse,” Steven Kosakow as “Mr. Knightly,” Victoria Bourque as “Harriet Smith,” Andrew Keir as “Frank Churchill,” Vajra Spring as “Robert Martin,” Alicia A. Boucher as “Jane Fairfax,” Ed Bernard as “Mr. Woodhouse,” Michael Reardon as “Mr. Elton,” Margaret Girouard as “Mrs. Elton,” John Lynch as “Mr. Weston,” Kaitlyn Scott as “Miss Bates,” Tiffany Johnson as “Mrs. Weston,” Pam Sontag as “Mrs. Bates.”
Additional Creative Team:
Producer - Meghan Trask; Costumes/Set Design/Hair – Shawn Cannon; Assistant Director, Staging, Props – Donna DeWitt; Stage Manager/Props – Alissa Lord; Tech Director/Set Build – Bret Bahe; Lighting Design – Molly Scrivens; Makeup - Birdie Bergeron; Sound Board – Emily Stratton; Specialty Painting – Shawn Cannon, Alicia Boucher.
Performances:
May 15, 2026 through May 31, 2026
(Contact Venue for Exact Dates and Times)
THE CANNON THEATRE, 28 Andrews Parkway, Devens, MA. 01434
TICKETS:
For tickets visit www.thecannontheatre.org
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
Devens, Massachusetts is tunefully traveling back in time with The Cannon Theatre's colorful, vibrant production of Paul Gordon’s musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel "EMMA."
Filled with lots of humor and plenty of song, The Cannon Theatre musical romp follows the exploits and relationships of folks from a small number of families and the surrounding estates of Hartfield, Randalls, and Donwell Abbey.
The novel "EMMA" was first published in 1815 with the story set in the fictional village of “Highbury” in the second decade of the 19th Century (known as the “Regency Period”).
Unlike his brilliant musical adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre,” staying true to that novel’s time period, Gordon’s adaptation for "EMMA" stipulates the following in the libretto notes:
“…it’s conceivable that the piece could work equally as well in a Mid-Century-Modern style. If this period is preferred, the only change in the script is the word ‘carriage’ to ‘car.’”
Just reading the above might make some folks cringe at the thought.
For those persons, thankfully, and as judiciously directed and choreographed by Shawn Cannon, The Cannon Theatre opted NOT to perform the Mid-Century-Modern approach, remaining true to the Regency Period setting of Austen’s novel, which was the right way to go.
(Photo: The CAST of Paul Gordon's musical adaptation of Jane Austen's "EMMA" now playing at the Cannon Theatre in Devens, MA. until May 31, 2026. Photo Courtesy Cannon Theatre)
Gordon’s score for "EMMA" is both pleasing and a bit eccentric with multiple asides made to the audience which works quite well in the immersive black box Cannon Theatre space.
Austen’s story and especially her essential characters in this musical adaptation are all well-represented by The Cannon Theatre cast, most notably by its lead in Madi Crory.
Austen’s "EMMA" is lighthearted, a point in which she herself dubbed it a “comedy of manners.”
"EMMA" delves deep into the anxieties and complications of sophisticated women living in an earlier time of British refinement.
Our heroine is EMMA Woodhouse (Madi Crory), a smart, single woman of means with a happy disposition, but who seems extremely adept at meddling into the affairs of others when she should best remain removed.
Yet, meddle she does and as she does, EMMA becomes increasingly aware of her own life and feelings for those closest to her.
EMMA sees herself as a matchmaking wunderkind.
She isn’t.
No - She really isn’t.
(Photo: Madi Crory as “Emma Woodhouse” on piano to entertain Tiffany Johnson as “Mrs. Weston” and John Lynch as “Mr. Weston” in a scene from Paul Gordon's musical adaptation of Jane Austen's "EMMA" now playing at the Cannon Theatre in Devens, MA. until May 31, 2026. Photo Courtesy Cannon Theatre)
Crory is absolutely enthralling as EMMA, who is unapologetically determined, persistent and overconfident, but has good intentions when it comes to the affairs of the heart and those closest to her.
EMMA has a genuine interest in family and friends…especially those unattached which, according to EMMA, is unacceptable.
As a result of her meddling in other people's lives, EMMA lets her imagination lead her astray, especially when it comes to the supposed object of her own desire, Frank Churchill (Andrew Keir), a family acquaintance.
EMMA forges ahead with her new matchmaking interest against the advice of her closest friend Mr. Knightley (Steven Kosakow), whose brother is married to EMMA's unseen elder sister, Isabella (Note: Yes - it IS confusing).
EMMA attempts to match her new friend, Harriet (Victoria Bourque), to Mr. Elton (Michael Reardon), the social-climbing local vicar – even though Harriet has been smitten by Mr. Robert Martin (Vajra Spring), a local farmer who wouldn’t even be allowed in the Woodhouse estate’s front entrance.
EMMA persuades Harriet to refuse a marriage proposal from Robert and maneuvers her to keep away from him, to protect her “station” in society.
As the pompous, pious Elton, Reardon provides a diligent dose of levity while Bourque is an absolute joy as Harriet, whose attraction to Farmer Martin (as eloquently emoted by Bourque in the song “Mr. Robert Martin”) is really the relationship for which the audience ultimately “roots.”
The interactions between Bourque and Spring come across as authentic, with Spring excelling as the awkward young farmer unable to return Harriet’s affections properly.
(Photo: Andrew Keir as “Frank Churchill” sits with Victoria Bourque as “Harriet Smith” and Madi Crory as “Emma Woodhouse” in a scene from Paul Gordon's musical adaptation of Jane Austen's "EMMA" now playing at the Cannon Theatre in Devens, MA. until May 31, 2026. Photo Courtesy Cannon Theatre)
In a madcap series of misunderstandings, Mr. Elton believes EMMA to be in love with him and proposes to her.
EMMA rejects him, having her own sights set upon Frank Churchill who supposedly lives a carefree existence, but in reality, is secretly engaged to EMMA's social rival, Jane Fairfax (Alicia A. Boucher).
Jane Fairfax is a beautiful, bright and elegant woman, talented at singing and playing the piano - an exacting foe to EMMA in every way.
Therefore, EMMA maneuvers Jane toward Mr. Knightley, who begins to realize his own feelings toward EMMA.
Keir is quite striking as the charismatic Churchill, who struggles to ensure his engagement to Jane remains concealed.
As Knightley, Kosakow adeptly leans into the adversarial relationship with Crory’s EMMA.
And yet, quickly it becomes obvious Knightley's frustrations with the meddlesome matchmaker are surpassed only by his affections toward her, which he describes in his assertively rendered song, "EMMA."
(Photo: Margaret Girouard as “Mrs. Elton” and companion with Michael Reardon as “Mr. Elton” in a scene from Paul Gordon's musical adaptation of Jane Austen's "EMMA" now playing at the Cannon Theatre in Devens, MA. until May 31, 2026. Photo Courtesy Cannon Theatre)
EMMA soon learns her perceived prowess in the area of love is far less accurate as her constant relationship manipulation and interference results in far more serious consequences.
The main source of strength to the story of "EMMA" still comes from Jane Austen’s original characters supplemented by many pleasant tunes provided by Gordon.
There are multiple backstories to the various characters from the original novel which, for the sake of time and Gordon’s musical adaptation, have been omitted or greatly reduced to passing references in the libretto.
However, even with such omissions, we still quickly become completely invested in what happens.
The Cannon Theatre staging for "EMMA" creates a wonderful atmosphere, a regal ambience comprised of a resourceful set design.
Also admirable is the great attention to Regency Period authenticity with respect to details in resplendent hair, makeup and costuming.
Under the musical direction of Emily Stratton, the cast is filled with impressive singers, especially in those musical numbers as rendered not only by Crory but also by Kosakow, Bourque, Boucher and Keir.
Ultimately though, it is the performance by Crory as EMMA that stands out as it is an insightful, thoughtful portrayal – one that does not let the character devolve into one-dimensional silliness where it might easily turn into a parody of itself.
(Photo: Steven Kosakow as “Mr. Knightly” with Madi Crory as “Emma Woodhouse” in a scene from Paul Gordon's musical adaptation of Jane Austen's "EMMA" now playing at the Cannon Theatre in Devens, MA. until May 31, 2026. Photo Courtesy Cannon Theatre)
Because Crory seemingly cares so much about the character of EMMA we also begin to care about her, and everyone within her sphere of influence impacted by her actions.
Other musical highlights in The Cannon Theatre production of "EMMA" include Crory on “Should We Ever Meet,” with Bourke on “Stranger Things Have Happened,” and joining Boucher and Keir on “So This is How Love Feels.”
This winsome staging of Paul Gordon’s musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s "EMMA" continues at The Cannon Theatre in Devens, MA. until May 31st, 2026.
Coming up in the fall at Cannon Theatre will be the Tennessee Williams' classic "THE GLASS MENAGERIE" beginning October 9th through October 25th, 2026.
For tickets and more information, visit www.thecannontheatre.org
BUY TICKETS
Approximately two hours, 30 minutes with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Jane Austen’s adored heroine gets the musical treatment in "EMMA" from acclaimed composer and lyricist Paul Gordon (“Daddy Long Legs,” “Jane Eyre”).
For centuries, "EMMA" has charmed and delighted readers - and now she does so onstage.
With the option of setting the show either in the Regency Era or mid-century modern, "EMMA" is truly a timeless tale of love, making mistakes, and holding yourself accountable.
A carefree woman, "EMMA" has "the very best blessings of existence" with "very little to vex or distress me."
"EMMA" is also a self-proclaimed matchmaker who thinks too highly of her abilities.
When her attempts at matchmaking and romance go awry, "EMMA" has to face herself and the people she has hurt.
"EMMA" is full of wit and charm.
See for yourself why everyone is falling in love with "EMMA." (MTI)
ABOUT THE CANNON THEATRE
THE CANNON THEATRE was founded by Shawn Cannon and Bret Bahe, who shared a dream of creating a community theater – a place for learning, and great plays, a place where people could enjoy the company of others, laugh, and just lose themselves in the joy of artistic expression. Over the years, the theater incorporated, and then became a non-profit organization, managed so that every precious cent made from each production is carefully fed right back into the creation of the next. THE CANNON THEATRE board, which still includes the theater’s very active and passionate founders, invites you to join us and experience this welcoming community, whether as an audience member, an actor, backstage crew, or even director. We guarantee you will leave feeling satisfied!
28 Andrews Parkway
Devens, MA. 01434
# 978-448-2108
