‘Sense and Sensibility’ takes the stage at University of Jamestown on April 11-13

Jane Austen’s wonderful book about British romance in the 18th century, "Sense and Sensability," has been adapted for the stage by Kate Hamill. That adaptation will be performed April 11-13 on stage in the DeNault Auditorium of the Reiland Fine Arts Center on the campus of the University of Jamestown. It begins at 7:30 p.m. each day.

The play covers the life of the Dashwood sisters as they adapt following the death of their dad. Their half-brother John inherits their dad’s estate and the sisters have to think of ways to live on very little.

Reviews of the play tout the production’s high energy level and commend how it stays within the original novel’s uncommon sense, its values and the “human condition” of that time. One review calls it a “ Jane Austen for those who don’t usually like Jane Austen.”

In her book and the play, the sisters find themselves impoverished. Widow Dashwood and her three daughters are ousted from their family home by John and his wife Fanny and not welcomed there.

Edward Ferrars, Fanny’s mild-mannered brother, develops a friendship with the oldest “sensible” sister Elinor. The Dashwood women move to a cottage on the estate of cousin Sir John Middleton before a romance has time to develop. Marianne has suitors of her own: Colonel Brandon and John Willoughby. One is cold and not of her liking and the other loves poetry and she is smitten. But he does the unthinkable; he leaves without warning and marries a wealthy heiress.

Marianne is heartbroken. Because her affections were public, she’s now the ridicule of her community. Elinor discovers that Edward is secretly engaged to a fortune-hunting woman named Lucy Steele, and her own hopes for finding a good man are dashed.

Hamill’s adaptation gives the audience some unforgettable moments where those so-called fairytale endings don’t quite meet with the storyline. The Dashwood sisters support each other while trying to negotiate the era’s social standards.

Part of the play’s adaptions that bypass the book includes the chorus of gossips. They manage to tie in scene after scene with a fast-paced social-stifling world of back-biters.

And when Elinor discovers that Edward is secretly engaged to manipulative fortune-hunter Lucy Steele, her own hopes for happiness are dashed. Supported by their love for each other, the Dashwood sisters must navigate society and question their own fixed characters and beliefs before they can arrive at not-quite-fairytale happy endings. The spectacular characters, unforgettable relationships and emotional truths of Jane Austen’s classic novel are brought to life in Kate Hamill’s unique adaptation of “Sense and Sensibility.” That glorious chorus of “gossips,” which functions to ask and answer all the questions posed by its audience, as well as punctuates the tempo will make this beloved story memorable.

The cast of “ Sense and Sensibility” includes:

Gabi Oberg as Elinor Dashwood and Keira Horner as Marianne Dashwood. Mrs. Dashwood is played by Keelie Renwick, while Margaret Dashwood and John Dashwood are played by Emily Jeglum and Wyatt Reid, respectively.

Zachariah Ebsch plays Edward Ferrars, with Jessie Bruhl in the role of Fanny Dashwood. Ian Weis takes the role of Colonel Brandon, Levi Weigum gets Sir John Middleton’s part, with Marc DeGuia as John Willoughby.

Mrs. Jennings is played by Payton Gall and Sara Czapiewski plays Lady Middleton. Lucy Steele’s role is played by Xaria Bell with Westin Walker as Robert Ferrars/Thomas.

Anne Steele’s part is played by Daisy Abundis and Charlie Ulstad as Doctor.

Tickets can be purchased online at tickets@uj.edu or by calling 701-252-3467, ext. 5435.

If anyone has an item for this column, please send it to Sharon Cox, PO Box 1559, Jamestown, ND 58402-1559.

Sharon Cox retired in 2020 after 28 years at the University of Jamestown, including as department chair and professor of art.