Northwestern College’s theatre department will present “Sense and Sensibility” Nov. 14, 16, and 21–23 in the DeWitt Theatre Arts Center’s England Proscenium Theatre. The show will begin at 7:30 each of those evenings; there will also be a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Nov. 16.
Based on the book by Jane Austen, “Sense and Sensibility” follows the vulnerable but resourceful Dashwood sisters as they make their way in 18th-century English society following the sudden death of their father.
“Since drama is based on dialogue, the challenge in adapting a novel is how to handle narration,” says Dr. Robert Hubbard, the play’s director and a professor of theatre at Northwestern. “The playwright, Kate Hamill, realized that much of this regency culture was based on status and gossip, so she created a chorus of gossips who narrate the scenes.”
The title, “Sense and Sensibility,” refers to the two main characters of the story. Elinor Dashwood is the logical, careful sister, always concerned about tangible things like finances, appearances and propriety. Marianne Dashwood is passionate, holds her heart on her sleeve, and is willing to do anything for love.
Though Austen lived in the late 1700s, she remains popular, Hubbard says, because of the intelligent female protagonists in her novels.
“She does a powerful job of making women multidimensional and rich characters while still showing the kind of limitations they had to live under because of the patriarchal society,” he explains. “I think some of those tensions, in different ways, are still with us.”
Another major theme of the play is the need for authenticity—to be truthful and honest and real in relationships. “This play celebrates depth of character,” Hubbard says, “and that’s a wonderful thing to focus a play on.”
Heading the cast are Northwestern students Emily Espinoza as Elinor and Ruthie Zimmerman as Marianne. Marissa Leraas plays their mother, Mrs. Dashwood, while Lydia Cavanaugh is their little sister, Margaret. George Livingston is Edward Ferrars, Mackenna Thurman is Colonel Brandon, and Micah De Young is John Willoughby.
Tickets for “Sense and Sensibility” are $10 for adults and $5 for students and go on sale Oct. 31. They can be reserved at nwciowa.edu/tickets, by calling the box office at 712-707-7098, or by emailing boxoffice@nwciowa.edu.
