Want to go to a ball with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet? Check out this OKC holiday show

On a Sunday afternoon this December, Marianne Dashwood and I sat on the edge of a crowded dance floor, chatting about the fine match her sister Elinor had just made with Edward Ferrars and speculating on the proverbial sparks flying between Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.

Opportunities to talk, dance and play games with some of the most beloved characters in English literature are part of the unique charm of Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park’s "Jane Austen's Christmas Cracker.”

A particular favorite of my family among Oklahoma City’s vast yuletide entertainment options, the original holiday hit continues its annual run through Dec. 23 inside Oklahoma Shakespeare’s black-box theater in the Paseo Arts District.

Here’s what you need to know about “Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker”:

How does this original Oklahoma holiday show adapt the works of one of England’s most beloved writers?

Directed this year by Dillon Rasberry, "Jane Austen's Christmas Cracker" is adapted by Oklahoma playwright Erin Woods from the famed English novelist's books and family letters. The festive, family-friendly show is part Regency Era holiday party, part theatrical performance, part historical re-enactment, part improvisational theater and part ice cream social.

The immersive show invites ticketholders to watch local actors portray some of Austen’s most iconic characters. The performers play out key scenes from her books, but the show also features characters who would never interact otherwise mingling as well as interacting with audience members.

Attendees also can join the cast in partaking in an array of Regency Era amusements, including six different English country dances, two games and five Christmas carols, along with complimentary Braum's ice cream treats and cookies.

Considering how trendy Austen’s stories have become in recent years — you’d never guess they were published primarily during the Regency Era of 1811 to 1820 given the number of current stage and screen adaptations — it’s impressive that an OKC theater company has developed such a singular way to tap into the ongoing Austenmania.

What Jane Austen characters are included in this year's ‘Christmas Cracker?’

Designed as an immersive, all-ages theatrical experience, "Jane Austen's Christmas Cracker" invites patrons to attend a 19th-century holiday party hosted by Jane Austen (Maddie Wall) and her sister, Cassandra Austen (the fantastic Lindsey Rollins, who has been a mainstay in the role, bringing such a gorgeous singing voice and a welcoming spirit).

This year's guest list is the same as last year’s production: The Dashwood sisters – the poised and reserved Elinor (Lily Marsh in her Oklahoma Shakespeare debut) and romantic and emotional Marianne (the enchanting Ariana Sophia), plus their respective suitors, the honorable Edward Ferrars (Joshua Murray) and the gentlemanly Colonel Brandon (Evan Wolfe), from Austen's first published novel, 1811's "Sense and Sensibility.”

The lovesick conflict between the wise and contained Anne Elliot (Jacey Nichole in her Oklahoma Shakespeare debut) and her former fiancé, the highly eligible Captain Wentworth (Karam Alkhatib), is from the writer's final completed novel, 1818's "Persuasion."

The show always includes a piece of Austen’s perpetually popular "Pride and Prejudice," with clever heroine Elizabeth Bennet (Olivia Akers), her mischievous younger sister Lydia (Kerynn Eckenrode, delightfully impish in her Oklahoma Shakespeare debut), her chatty mother Mrs. Bennet (the uproarious Zaneen Hotchkiss reprising the role) and her unlikely love interest Fitzwilliam Darcy (Justin Marlow) rounding out the party.

Part of the fun is watching the characters interact with each other as well as the audience, whether it’s Col. Brandon and Mr. Darcy greeting each other as friends, Lydia Bennet causing a scene by pranking the back-row patrons or Cassandra Austen trying to avoid another conversation with the fretful Mrs. Bennet.

Costume designer Annie Armstrong and scenic designer Edward T. Morris do a beautiful job transporting the audience and company to the Regency period.

What parts of 'Jane Austen's Christmas Cracker' are interactive?

Ticketholders are given the chance to join cast members on stage dance to several English country dances that were popular in Austen’s time, including Dover Pier, Alice and Ramsgate Assembly. Each dance is preceded by a short lesson with one of the performers calling out the steps. Dance choreographer Rebekah Valencia has done an excellent job preparing the cast.

The players cheerfully welcome participants of all ages and ability levels, and both my daughters — Brenna, 13, and Kyla, 7 — and me took turns on the dance floor during the Dec. 10 matinee.

The actors encourage and help participants through the dances, so there's no shame if you miss a turn or mess up on a step. But they also remain in character on the dance floor. So, there’s the added fun of seeing the reaction when I called the not-yet-together Elinor and Edward a lovely couple or watching Rollins’ Cassandra ask Marlow as the famously stiff Mr. Darcy, “Have you never skipped before?” during the lively dance the First of April.

Ticketholders also are invited to sing along with the characters to several old English Christmas carols like "Here We Come A-Wassailing,” "Good King Wenceslas” and “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen,” which is favorite part of the show for my husband, Patrick, and our son, Gabe, 17. The lyrics to the songs are provided in the program.

Plus, the actors select an audience member to play along with each of the two Regency Era parlor games: the hilarious Squeal, Piggy, Squeal and the entertaining Forfeits. Brenna volunteered for the latter and cracked up when the characters referred to her ever-present headphones as “funny earmuffs.”

Can attendees choose how much they want to participate?

Yes. Some audience members choose to don Regency-style garb or other fancy dress, volunteer for the games and dances, sing all the carols, sample all the snacks and try to interact with as many characters as possible.

Others opt to wear jeans, stay in their seats and just watch the show, while others pick a level somewhere in between. There's no pressure for attendees to engage any more than they would at a traditional theatrical performance, unless they volunteer for it.

Attendees shouldn't disrupt the scripted parts of the performance and should follow basic rules of theater etiquette.

Plus, no late seating is allowed due to the snugness of the venue and the interactivity of the show. Since construction in the Paseo Arts District currently makes parking particularly tricky, ticketholders should plan to arrive early, with the box office opening one hour before showtimes.

What kinds of complimentary refreshments are served?

Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Store is the longtime sponsor of "Jane Austen's Christmas Cracker," and the company supplies a freezer full of ice cream sandwiches, Nutty Cones and prepackaged scoops, which is a favorite aspect of the show for my children.

Since ice cream wasn’t a common Regency Era refreshment, it’s always fun to watch the characters playfully marvel over the frozen treats.

Other complimentary sweets like cookies and brownies also are offered. Plus, the bar is open for each performance and serves up seasonal alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, plus more goodies.

What is a Christmas cracker anyway?

The play's title comes from the traditional British tube-shaped party favors that typically contain a small gift, paper crown and a joke or fortune. They’re designed for two people to pull open by tugging on opposite ends, and the one who gets the larger part wins the contents. (Imagine wishing on a wishbone only with a paper tube with a prize inside.)

They're called "crackers" for the popping sound they make when pulled apart.

Not only are the festive favors part of the story, but each attendee also is given a complimentary cracker as a parting gift. It's a lovely way to cap to a special yuletide experience that has never failed to charm our family.

'JANE AUSTEN'S CHRISTMAS CRACKER'

• When: Through Dec. 23.

• Where: Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's indoor black-box theater, 2920 Paseo.

• Tickets and information: https://www.okshakes.org.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Want to be live in Jane Austen's world? You can at this OKC holiday show