David Toshiro Crane and Sophie Oda in a scene from TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s production of “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.”
By J.K. YAMAMOTO
RAFU STAFF WRITER
Actress and singer Sophie Oda, a Southern California resident originally from the Bay Area, is currently appearing in TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s production of “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.”
Written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon and directed by Jeffrey Lo, this seasonal comedy is a romantic sequel to “Pride and Prejudice.” As the beloved Bennet sisters gather for carols and confections at the Darcy’s Pemberley estate, perennially passed-over sister Mary retreats into her books and fantasies. An unexpected guest may lead her in an enticing new direction.
“My character, Lydia Wickham, is the youngest Bennet sister, who has been in an unhappy marriage for a few years now,” Oda said. “She comes to Pemberley to reunite with her family and celebrate Christmas, where the family is hosting a lord for the holiday. Lydia is immediately interested in him and she stirs up conflict left and right.
“This play is so delightful. I play somewhat of an antagonist myself, but there is love in this play. It is such a heartfelt story, reminding us that family is always there for you. And that our quirks and differences can be the best part about us.”
The cast also includes Elissa Beth Stebbins, David Toshiro Crane, Kausar Mohammed, Adam Griffith, Amanda Pulcini, William Thomas Hodgson, and Maggie Mason.
TheatreWorks is located at 1305 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto. Remaining showtimes: Dec. 10-11, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 12-13, 8 p.m.; Dec. 14, 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 15, 2 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 17-18, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 19-20, 8 p.m.; Dec. 21, 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 22, 2 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 26, 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 27, 8 p.m.; Dec.28, 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 29, 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets: $34-$115.
Info: https://theatreworks.org/mainstage/miss-bennet/
Born in San Francisco in 1991, Oda has been performing in professional theatre since she was six years old. Her stage credits include “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” “A Little Princess,” “Jane Eyre: The Musical,” “The Sound of Music,” “Pacific Overtures,” “Annie,” “The Joy Luck Club,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “South Pacific,” and “The King and I.”
In 2003, at the age of 11, she was a contestant on “Star Search,” singing “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from “Funny Girl.” Her subsequent career as an actress included the movies “Kung Phooey,” “Bee Season,” and “Memoirs of a Geisha” (uncredited role) and a recurring role as Barbara Brownstein on “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” plus one appearance on “The Suite Life on Deck.”
In 2003, young Sophie Oda starred with Margaret Nichols in TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s “Jane Eyre.” Oda returns to TheatreWorks in “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly,” now through Nov. 29.
Oda graduated from UC Irvine in 2012 with a BFA in musical theater.
She said she hasn’t performed in the Bay Area for many years, “so I’m thrilled to be back and working with such a lovely bunch of humans.”
Regarding her more recent TV and voiceover work, Oda said, “You can see me on ‘Hawaii Five-0,’ ‘NCIS: L.A.,’ ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ ‘Robot Chicken,’ ‘Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld,’ and I have a growing collection of audiobooks.”
One of her upcoming projects means a great deal to her. “I will be narrating a very special novel written by my great-grandmother. The manuscript currently lives in the Library of Congress, as it is a rare depiction of California for Japanese Americans before World War II. Her writing allows you to feel the political turmoil of the community at the time.
“We intend to translate and publish her incredible work, and I am so looking forward to speaking her words!”
Official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sophieoda