|
Long
before Bridgerton sparked desires and ignited our screens, a
young, new writer set the hearts of England ablaze with the deep
longing of her compelling characters. Jane Austen’s Sense and
Sensibility
tells the
captivating tale of the Dashwood sisters as they attempt to navigate
financial strife, would-be suitors, and the rigid edicts of English
society following the death of their father. Jessica Swale’s elegant
stage adaptation of this beloved classic overflows with humor and
style. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present Sense and
Sensibility at their F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus
of Drew University beginning September 4, 2024.
“We are thrilled to
showcase this great, classic writer once again,” says Artistic Director
Brian B. Crowe. “Though it has never waned, Austen’s popularity has
certainly been given a huge boost through Shonda Rhimes’ Bridgerton series,
and we are pleased to turn audiences’ attention back to the
groundbreaking author who inspired that pop-culture hit. It’s been
nearly two decades since Jane Austen graced our stage when Bonnie J.
Monte's adaptation of Pride and Prejudice was presented in 2006.
Since then, Austen has been a popular request from our patrons, and it
seems appropriate that the actress who delightfully brought Jane
Bennett to life in that celebrated production now returns to direct
this one.”
Nisi Sturgis is not
unknown to Shakespeare Theatre audiences. She has appeared in many
acclaimed productions over the years, including A Streetcar Named
Desire, Arms and the Man, Our Town, Trelawny of
the Wells, and Pride and Prejudice. She returns now to
direct Austen’s cherished tale of sisterhood.
Sturgis opens up
about returning to STNJ to direct this production of Sense and
Sensibility — "A friend asked me the other day, 'Why do we keep
returning to Austen?' I think partly because our perceptions about each
other will always be, to some extent, wrong." She continues,
"Austen presents the value of extending grace towards others, allowing
those perceptions to change, and how that thorny process ultimately
leads us to a deeper knowledge of ourselves. She's a nascent
feminist whose characters are often in the tug of war between
being true to oneself and compromising oneself to exist within
a society’s rules, standards and expectations: the constant
balancing of existence and coexistence.
And she’s super
funny, which is always, always good!"
Set against the
lush backdrop of 1790s England, Austen’s first novel follows the
Dashwood sisters — sensible Elinor, spontaneous Marianne, adventurous
Margaret — and their widowed mother as they are forced to leave their
family estate and find their way in the world. Unexpected romances are
challenged when scandals erupt and
secrets are revealed, forcing the sisters to rely on themselves and
each other to weather the heartache.
The ensemble cast
unites new and veteran company members, including Mandi Masden (MTC,
Roundabout, Theatre for a New Audience) as Elinor and Billie Wyatt
(STNJ - As You Like It, A Midwinter Night’s Dream, The Rose Tattoo)
as Marianne, Austen’s devoted sisters. The cast also features
Terra Chaney (STNJ - Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare LIVE!
2023) as Margaret Dashwood and Lucy Steele, Lynette R. Freeman (The
Public Theater, Guthrie Theater, Trinity Rep) as Mrs. Palmer and Mrs.
Dashwood, Christian Frost (STNJ - As You Like It, A Midwinter
Night’s Dream, And A Nightingale Sang…) as Willougby, Sean Mahan
(STNJ - A Man for All Seasons, Arms and the Man, Pride and Prejudice)
as Colonel Brandon, Patrick Andrew Jones (Berkley Rep, ACT, MCC) as
Edward Ferrars and Mr. Palmer, Kayla Ryan Walsh (STNJ - A
Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, The
Rose Tattoo) as Fanny Dashwood
and Mrs. Jennings, and Patrick Toon (STNJ - The Book of Will, The
Winter’s Tale, The Misanthrope, The Royal Family) as Sir John and
Mr. Dashwood.
The creative team
for the production includes scenic designer Brittany Vasta (STNJ - And
a Nightingale Sang…, Twelfth Night), costume designer Sophie S.
Schneider (Glimmerglass, Carnegie Mellon University), lighting designer
Anthony Galaska (STNJ - Metromaniacs, The Tempest), and sound
designer Liam Bellman-Sharpe (STNJ - A Man for All Seasons).
Kimiye Corrigan is the dance consultant and Julie Foh is the dialect
consultant. Mary Garrigan stage manages.
Sense and
Sensibility is sponsored in
part by the generous support of Dr. W. John Bauer and Nancy B. Boucher.
TICKETS: Single tickets for Sense
and Sensibility begin at $39 for preview performances and begin at
$57 for regular performances. Prices range from $39 to $77. The Theatre
offers various cost-saving opportunities, including $15 student tickets
with a valid student ID, and a limited number of Pay What You Will
tickets for every performance on a first-come, first-serve basis. STNJ
also has a $30 Under 30 ticket option, which offers $30 tickets for
patrons aged 30 and under, with valid ID. Other discounts are available
including subscription discounts; and 10% discounts for members of
PBS/Thirteen, Active Military, Madison Loyalty Club card holders, and
AAA members. STNJ also honors the Family First Discovery Pass for
families receiving benefits through SNAP, WIC, or Work First New
Jersey. For tickets, patrons can call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or
visit ShakespeareNJ.org.
Patrons are
encouraged to check out these special upcoming events connected with
the production:
•"Pay What You
CAN” Food Drive preview — Wednesday, September 4, at 7:30 pm: Bring two
canned-goods and receive a $10 ticket.
•Young
Professionals Night — Thursday, September 5, at 7:00 pm: An evening for
recent graduates and new faces in the workforce can build lasting
relationships and enjoy a show.
•Storefront to
Stage – Wednesday, September 11, at 6:30 pm: A fun and social networking
event for local business-owners; call 973-845-6743 For more
information.
•Out@STNJ Pride
Night — Friday, September 13, at 7:00 pm: Show your pride and join STNJ
for Drag Bingo featuring Lady Celestina before the show.
•Jane Austen Fan
Night — Thursday, September 19, at 7:00 pm: Join STNJ on the patio of The
F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre for tea-style treats before seeing Sense
and Sensibility. Patrons are encouraged to wear period appropriate
costumes and celebrate Jane Austen.
WHEN: September 4 - 22, 2024, Tuesdays,
Wednesdays, and select Sundays at 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays
– Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays,
Sundays, and select Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew
University: 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940.
TICKETS: Available now at ShakespeareNJ.org or by calling
973-408-5600
For
more information and to purchase tickets, visit ShakespeareNJ.org.
General
Information:
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Brian B. Crowe
MAIN STAGE:
The F.M. Kirby
Shakespeare Theatre
36 Madison Avenue
(at Lancaster Road), Madison, NJ
TICKETS AND
INFORMATION: Call the Box Office
at 973-408-5600 or visit ShakespeareNJ.org
About the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey:
The Shakespeare
Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) is one of the leading Shakespeare theatres
in the nation, serving approximately 75,000 adults and children
annually. It is New Jersey's largest professional theatre company
dedicated to Shakespeare's canon and other classic masterworks. Through
its productions and education programs the company strives to
illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for
contemporary audiences.
The
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s programs are made possible, in
part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a
partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional major
support is received from the F.M. Kirby Foundation, The Shubert
Foundation, The Edward T. Cone Foundation, The Blanche and Irving
Laurie Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, CTW Foundation,
The Samuel H. Scripps Foundation, Union Foundation, E.J. Grassmann
Trust, Hyde, and Watson Foundation, Jack K. Ayre and Frank Ayre Lee Theatre
Foundation, The John R. Eckel Jr. Foundation, Turrell Fund, The Merrill
G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation, and the Howard Gilman Foundation,
as well as contributions from numerous other foundations, corporations,
government agencies, and individuals.
|
