Jane Austen herself described "Pride and Prejudice" as "rather too light, and bright, and sparkling." In other words, it's just the thing for a warm August evening's entertainment.

The St. Vincent's Youth Ministry will present a theatrical adaptation of Austen's novel tonight through Saturday at the St. Mary's School gym in Cape Girardeau.

Published in 1813, "Pride and Prejudice" is a portrait of rural life among the genteel English. That's one reason director Gerry Strohmeyer chose the period play to stage.

"It's no fun playing somebody like yourself," he says.

It is also a "sentimental comedy" -- don't expect knee-slapping mirth -- based on the perhaps outdated family pasttime of marrying off girls to suitable husbands.

"Pride and Prejudice" travels many conversational miles via the misunderstandings that occur and later the affinities that develop between the fiery Elizabeth Bennet (Nina Prost) and haughty Mr. Darcy (Chad Heuschober).

She has the pride, he has the prejudice.

Nearly 60 members of the youth ministry have been building sets and rehearsing the play since June 9. The 52-year-old Strohmeyer, a human resources manager who is directing his sixth play for the ministry, says the annual productions provide the teen-agers with something much better to do with their summer than cruising Broadway.

The plays also give some of them their first taste of the theater and teaches them the discipline that is required.

Strohmeyer's son Marty just finished his first year teaching drama at Chaminade boys prep school in St. Louis and is the play's technical director.

The cast of 28 will be dressed in colorful period costumes, the girls' made by mothers and grandmothers, the boys' -- including authentic-looking military uniforms -- rented from a costume shop. Many of them are Notre Dame students, some of whom have experience in the school's annual musicals.

Ryan Fenwick, who plays the jesting Mr. Bingley, was in the cast of last spring's "Annie Get Your Gun" at Notre Dame. He also was in the youth ministry's "Matchmaker" two years ago and last year's "The Man Who Came to Dinner."

The 16-year-old plays baseball in a summer league as well. "When I told the coaches I had to miss practice for play practice, they were like, Oh my God," he said. "But I didn't mind."

Fourteen-year-old Gail Heuschober, who plays Mr. Bingley's snooty sister, is just old enough now to be in one of the youth ministry productions but she has participated in theater workshops in the past and a Christmas play at school.

She likes everything about the theater, from working on sets to being on stage. "I like the chance to play a character who's not like me," she said.

One of the best parts of being in a play is wearing your costume for the first time, Fenwick and Heuschober agreed.

Other cast members, such as Danny Strohmeyer (Mr. Bennet), Julie Stoverink (Mrs. Bennet) and Mike Renick (Mr. Collins) are college students free for the summer. Beth Bishop, who plays Jane, attends Central High School.

Some other members of the cast are: Amanda Strohmeyer (Lydia), Michael Sirimaturos (Mr. Wickham), Jill Eichhorn (Charlotte), Jean Stoverink (Lady Lucas), Jill Edwards (Mrs. Gardiner) and Krissi Cox (Lady Catherine).

All seats are reserved for the 8 p.m. performances. Phone 335--1566 for information.