Come home to Jane Austen’s Pemberley this holiday season! Flashback Theater Co., with generous support from Title Sponsor Weichert Realtors, presents The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon. This delightful holiday comedy will run December 5-15, 2024 at Somerset First United Methodist Church. Like every Flashback production, The Wickhams is a professional production; when you purchase a ticket, it directly supports local talent of our region including actors and designers from Somerset, Eubank, Monticello, and Science Hill. You won’t want to miss this homegrown holiday event!
The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley takes place after the events of Austen’s classic novel, Pride & Prejudice. If you’re not familiar with the original story, not to worry! The charming and warm comedy of the play’s dialogue will welcome new and returning guests to Pemberley with open arms. We see Lizzie and Mr. Darcy happily settled into married life as the youngest Bennet, Lydia, struggles with her scandalous marriage to Mr. Darcy’s sworn enemy, Mr. Wickham. Playwrights Gunderson & Melcon provide a new angle on Austen’s world from the downstairs servant quarters, introducing us to delightful new characters like Cassie & Brian, a young servant couple whose romance has only just begun, when the family’s drama threatens to ruin it all.
Flashback Theater Co. is a semi-professional theater company, meaning that actors, designers, and directors are compensated for their time and contributions to work onstage. The company believes that by paying our artists, we are encouraging creative talent to stay in the area long-term, growing our community’s cultural resources and expanding the opportunities available for entertainment and education in the region. Though based in Pulaski County, Flashback captures artists and audience members from the surrounding counties of Russell, Adair, Casey, Lincoln, Laurel, Wayne, McCreary, and beyond.
The cast of The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley is made up of Bailey Patterson of Jabez (Lydia), Kailyn Ball of Somerset (Cassie), Jenny Denney of Science Hill (Mrs. Reynolds), Tiffany Warren of Eubank (Lizzie), Seth Hart of Monticello (Mr. Darcy), Brian Herrmann of Somerset (Mr. Wickham), and John Langford of Somerset (Brian).
Bailey Patterson (she/her) (Lydia Wickham) is elated to be reprising her role of the light and expressive Lydia Wickham! Bailey is the Education Coordinator at Flashback and holds a Theatre degree from the University of Kentucky. Her previous FbTC credits include As You Like It (Rosalind), The American Parade (Celine), and, of course, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley. Bailey would like to thank her Flashback family; they are a force to behold.
Kailyn Ball (she/her) (Cassie) is a student at Southwestern High School where she enjoys being a part of the theater and choir department. She performed in the high school’s production of All The Boys Love Mary and This Year’s Roaring Revue, both written by Steve Cleberg. With Flashback Theater Co., she performed in The 39 Steps and The Comedy Of Errors. She is excited to be on the stage with several Flashback regulars.
Jenny Denney (Mrs. Reynolds) is the director of choir and theater at Southwestern High School. She made her FbTC debut in the spring of 2022 playing Clopas in Mary: Her Story. In spring 2023, she performed one of her favorite roles as Johanna in Flashback’s musical production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Most recently she was seen in the 2023-24 season shows, The Thin Place, The 39 Steps and Uncle Vanya.
Tiffany Warren (Lizzie Darcy) is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University where she received her BA in Theater Arts. A native to Flashback Theater, she has been in productions such as The Book of Will, The Dollmaker, and As You Like It. She would like to dedicate her performance in this show to her mother.
Seth Hart (Mr. Darcy) returns to the Flashback stage! Seth has previously performed in The Mousetrap (Giles Ralston), The Book of Will (John Hemmings), Uncle Vanya (Doctor Astrov) and Brother Wolf (Rattler Man). His additional acting credits include a wide range of plays at Good Neighbors Theatre in Byrdstown, TN, such as Radio Suspense Theatre, The Diviners, Arsenic and Old Lace, Blithe Spirit, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Christmas Carol and more. Seth works for the University of Kentucky as a fine arts program assistant at the Wayne County Cooperative Extension Office and also works independently as an artist, potter and sculptor.
Brian Herrmann (Mr. Wickham)
Brian Herrmann is just beginning to hit his stride at Flashback Theater, with a handful of shows under his belt such as Count Dracula, The American Parade, The 39 Steps, and Brother Wolf, and hopes you’re as excited for this season as he is!
John Langford (Brian)
John Langford began acting in 2020 as a voice actor in a comedy series. John has since appeared in short films and more recently, plays.
The play is directed by Thomas Alvey of Somerset, and is stage managed by Mary Clark, also of Somerset. The play’s period costumes will be designed by Traci Bray of Somerset.
Thomas Alvey (he/they/any) (Director) is the Fine Arts Coordinator at Somerset Community College. Previously, Alvey has directed Almost, Maine (SCC) and two short play Festivals at SCC. Alvey was also Assistant Director for The Comedy of Errors (FbTC), The American Parade (FbTC) and Steel Magnolias (SCC).
Mary Clark (Stage Manager)
In a previous life, Mary was Production Stage Manager for Ensemble Theatre in Cincinnati, Ohio and worked with other theater companies in the area. After decades away from the theater, Mary is thrilled to be behind the scenes again.
Traci Bray (Costume Design)
Traci uses her extensive knowledge of fiber arts to help tell the story; expressing what she sees and feels to the audience through costumes. A first responder and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; she enjoys being able to experience life from all different angles and hopes that complexity is celebrated in her art.
The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley is the best way to celebrate a Christmas tradition that never goes out of style: coming together as a community to celebrate hope, joy, and forgiveness. We hope you’ll join us!
Production Information
The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley
By Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon
Directed by Thomas Alvey
December 5-15, 2024
Somerset First United Methodist Church
In this sparkling sequel to Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (produced at Flashback in 2018), Gunderson and Melcon explore the grounds of Jane Austen’s Pemberley Estate (of Pride and Prejudice fame) from a new level: the downstairs servants quarters. To prepare for another busy holiday season, longtime housekeeper Mrs.Reynolds hires a new charge, a witty young maid named Cassie. Working together on holiday preparations, sparks begin to fly between Cassie and the estate’s inventive young footman Brian, but all comes to a screeching halt when a midnight arrival from a forbidden guest, Mr. Wickham, threatens to tear the family apart. This charming holiday tale captures the heart of Austen’s beloved heroines with a delightfully fresh perspective that all audiences can enjoy.
Performance Dates and Times
Thursday, December 5th, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, December 6th, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 8th, 2:30 p.m.
Friday, December 13th, 7:30 p.m
Saturday, December 14th, 7:30 p.m
Sunday, December 15th, 2:30 p.m.
Ticket Information
Tickets can be purchased online at: https://fbtc.ticketleap.com/the-wickhams/ , by visiting the box office in person at 209A E Mount Vernon St. during office hours, or by calling the box office at (888) 394-3282, ext. 1. Box office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Single ticket pricing for the 11th Season of Flashback productions will be:
Adults – $23 Advance, $25 Door
Students – $12 Advance, $15 Door
Seniors – $20 Advance and Door
The best and most cost efficient way to see Flashback’s season of productions is by purchasing a Season Ticket. Season Tickets are $85 per person and guarantee you first pick of the seating arrangements, giving you the best seat in the house. Season ticket holders will be contacted in the first week of ticket sales for each show to confirm desired date of attendance. Your tickets for each production will be sent to your email. If you would like to pick up a printed ticket to give to a friend or transfer your tickets for a production to someone else, you are welcome to do so and need only contact the box office to make arrangements.
Season Sponsors & Supporters
Flashback Theater Co. is grateful to our 2024-25 Starlight Sponsors: Applied Behavioral Advancements, The City of Somerset, Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet, and The Shubert Foundation. Spotlight Sponsors: M&W Printing and CHI Saint Joseph London; as well as our Footlight Sponsors: David Daring Rentals, Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital & Lake Cumberland Residency Programs, First & Farmers National Bank, The Weigel Family, United Cumberland Bank, T. Ronald Kidd Trust, Somerset Community College, Buffalo Wings & Rings, and Citizens National Bank.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, provides operating support to Flashback Theater Co. with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley is presented with support from the show’s Title sponsor: Weichert Realtors. Additional support is provided by Artist Sponsors First Southern National Bank and Community Trust Bank as well as Design Sponsors South Kentucky RECC and Phoenix Preferred Care.