Lena Slininger, Kady Patterson, Elizabeth Melville, Legend Donaldson, Zach Zelnio, Emma Terronez, and Thayne Lamb in "Sense and Sensibility" at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre -- May 5 through 14.
Friday, May 5, through Sunday, May 14
Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Avenue, Moline IL
Lauded by the New York Times as "an enchanting romp of a play" and by the Houston Press as "a delight in every way," author Katie Hamill's adaptation of Jane Austen's literary classic Sense & Sensibility enjoys a May 5 through 14 debut at Moline's Playcrafters Barn Theatre, this inventive, hilarious, and moving stage piece described the Denver Post as "a fun and supremely theatrical look at social climbing, heartbreak, and love."
This playful new adaptation of Austen’s beloved novel follows the fortunes and misfortunes of the Dashwood sisters – sensible elder sibling Elinor and the hyper-sensitive young Marianne – after their father’s sudden death leaves them financially destitute and socially vulnerable. Set in gossipy late 18th-century England and told with a fresh female voice, Hamill's rendition of Sense & Sensibility examines our reactions, both reasonable and ridiculous, to societal pressures, while the spectacular comedic characters, unforgettable relationships, and emotional truths beloved by millions of readers are brought to life in a brilliantly funny, fast-paced stage adaptation. Beyond providing all the familiar figures and scenarios Austen fans adore, the play utilizes a chorus of lively gossips to enhance the sense of a socially stifling world, with the work inviting inventive choreography, bold characterizations, and creative doubling of actors to produce a fresh take on this much-adored story.
Serving as director for Sense & Sensibility is Playcrafters veteran Jennifer Kingry, who most recently helmed 2021's Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks for the venue, and directed such works as Outside Mullingar, The 39 Steps, Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike, and last summer's Silent Sky for Geneseo's Richmond Hill Barn Theatre. Elinor Dashwood is portrayed by Legend Donaldson and Mariana by Lena Slininger, with nearly 30 additional roles enacted by a multi-cast ensemble of eight: Craig Gaul, Thayne Lamb, Elizabeth Melville, Kady Patterson, Yvonne Siddique, Emma Terronez, Mike Turczynski, and Zach Zelnio. And with Kingry also serving as her show's lighting designer and co-costume designer, the latter alongside Ann Keeney-Grafft, additional members of the period comedy's creative team include stage manager Maxwell Johnson, producer Jesse Mohr, props designer Milo Houdyshell, sound designer Elizabeth Wilkinson, set builder Jim Skiles, and poster designer Katie Newport.
Sense & Sensibility runs at the Moline Barn Theatre from May 5 through 14, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Admission is $13-15, and more information and tickets are available by calling (309)762-0330 and visiting Playcrafters.com.
