An ‘Austen’tatious delight with WTC’s Sense and Sensibility

The Whitefish Theatre Company is thrilled to present the romantic classic “Sense and Sensibility” as their spring show at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. Based on the beloved novel by Jane Austen, this funny and touching show opens with a sneak preview night on April 7 at 7:30 p.m. Performances continue on April 8, 9, 14, 15, and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and on April 10 at 4:00 p.m.

A smash hit off-Broadway, Kate Hamill’s exuberant adaptation of “Sense and Sensibility” brings a comic, theatrical flair to Austen's perennial favorite. The Dashwood sisters — prudent Elinore and impulsive Marianne — find their world turned upside down after their father's death, which robs them of their wealth, social standing, and most importantly, chances for marriage. Mix in a few dashing love interests and a gaggle of gossipy socialites, the sisters must learn to mix sense with sensibility, their opposite temperaments, to find true happiness. Called “inventive, faithful and clever”, this marvelous play will delight Austen fans and novices alike.

“Producing Sense and Sensibility has been a roller coaster ride for everyone involved as the set is like a giant puzzle of multiple scenes in a dozen locations,” said Director Nancy Nei. “Multiple columns of varying sizes are assembled by the actors to become the furniture of various elegant rooms in palatial English houses, as well as the cottage the Dashwood sisters are forced to move to when their father dies.”

Nei adds, “All of this adds to a very theatrical and playful version of this honored story that continues to touch on modern themes – how two young women who suffer misfortune and societal pressures find family, resilience and their personal voice.”

“Sense and Sensibility” debuted in 2014 and has since won numerous awards, including the Off-Broadway Alliance Award. The Huffington Post called the play “the greatest stage adaptation of this novel in history”, lending to Hamill being named 2017’s Playwright of the Year.

Hamill adapted “Sense and Sensibility” out of a love for the classics, both theatrical and literary.

“I love stories that are so powerful they’ve stayed with us for centuries,” Hamill has stated. “I wrote Sense and Sensibility because I believe so deeply that the classics belong to everyone.”

The cast is comprised of 13 actors from around the Flathead Valley. Jessica Henkelmann plays Elinor, Desiree Albonetti-Roberson plays Marianne, David Reese plays Edward and Robert Ferrars, Matt Strool plays Willoughby, Dawn Watland plays Mrs. Dashwood, Andrew Matulionis plays Colonel Brandon, Scarlett Schindler plays Mrs. Jennings, Annelise Mason plays Margret, Scott Plotkin plays John Middleton and Thomas, Nicki Corne plays Lady Middleton and Fanny Dashwood, Stuart Green plays John Dashwood and a servant, Jan Simpson plays Anne Steel, and Jessa Ash plays Lucy Steel.

“The play has a very talented cast who have had to stay very flexible as we have mounted one of the most challenging projects of my long association with WTC,” Nei says.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $10 for students with reserved seating. Tickets for the sneak preview performance on April 7 are sold only at the door and are $12 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office at 1 Central Avenue in Whitefish or by calling 862-5371. Box Office Hours are 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before a performance. Individual tickets can also be purchased online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org. This show is sponsored by Judy and John Melin, Sue and Hank Ricklefs, the Jackson Family, and Glacier Sotheby’s International Realty.