Sweethearts in real life also share romance in PTC's 'Emma'

SALT LAKE CITY — In a bit of a love letter to Valentine's Day, albeit a few days late (but hey, some of your gifts might be as well), Pioneer Theatre Company opens the 19th-century romantic comedy "Emma."

The production is adapted from the classic novel written by Jane Austen, who was almost unheralded in her own day but is one of the most popular and admired writers today.

"I had just moved to San Diego and had no furniture," said Nisi Sturgis, who plays Emma. "My friend had given me the BBC version of (Jane Austen's) "Pride and Prejudice." The next morning I was sitting directly in front of the TV screen — I watched them all. I was overwhelmed. I loved it."

Though "Emma" and "Pride and Prejudice" are different, Austen's insight into people and relationships seems to be universal.

"Austen is so much about, in order to have healthy relationships in your life, you have to be in possession of your own power," Sturgis said. "You have to fully understand yourself, and that's a struggle."

"But Austen really instructs with a great sense of depth on how to do that."

Adding a bit of real-world romance to the on-stage romance, Sturgis shares the stage, for the first time, with her real-life sweetheart of 3½ years, Jordan Coughtry, who plays Frank Churchill.

"At first I was terrified," Sturgis said of working with her boyfriend. "Normally your rehearsal space is a sanctuary, a safe place," she said. "Everyone is getting to know not only each other but their characters. So to have someone in the room that sees me so clearly and sees all my insecurities and vulnerabilities — it's very humbling."

"I think it's absolutely fantastic," Coughtry said. "I absolutely love it. It's been so interesting to work with someone who knows you so well personally — it has really enriched the experience for me.

"I'm also really glad I get to be here to help Nisi — she has a ton of work to do," he added. "It's amazing what she's doing on stage; she's out there almost the entire time. So I feel fortunate I'm here to help her with that — help her learn the role and words and take care of her, get iced coffees, etc. She doesn't have the time. She's doing a massive, beautiful job."

Austen's male characters have a bit of their own enigma.