'Sense and Sensibility' Opens Loessin Playhouse Season | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post, Bre Lewis, is a contributor to ECU News Services.

    The Dashwood sisters are still finding their balance in this adaptation to Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility," which opened Sept. 28 in McGinnis Theatre at East Carolina University.

    Set in late 18th century England, "Sense and Sensibility" focuses on the Dashwood sisters - Elinor and Marianne - after the death of their father. Being left with little money and resources, the play follows how the family is able to adapt to a new life while finding balance and love.

    The stage presentation opens ECU's Loessin Playhouse fall season and runs through Tuesday, Oct. 3.

    "I hope that the audience leaves the theater having a refreshed view on life," said Collin Yates, a junior majoring in musical theatre and professional acting, who plays Edward Ferrars, Elinor Dashwood's love interest.


Students in ECU’s School of Theatre and Dance are performing “Sense and Sensibility” through Oct. 3. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)
    Yates described Edward as a kind and awkward man who always thinks of others before himself.

    "I think that (the audience) will thoroughly enjoy this production for its warm hearted message, its comic characters and timeless love story," he said.

    This adaptation by Kate Hamill displays a new and playful take on the classic novel. "The Gossips" narrate the play and take on different roles to give the play a new abstract approach. The roles include mirrors, dogs and walls, to name a few.

    Jane Simmons, a senior musical theatre and professional acting major, portrays Marianne Dashwood, who she described as vivacious, youthful, witty and impulsive.

    "Although Marianne is extremely optimistic, she is quick to tears," she said. "We watch Marianne deal with love and heartbreak throughout the show and even during these hard times, her optimism never wavers. Everything she does is driven by passion and love."

    Jessica Braun, a senior majoring in musical theatre and professional acting, plays Elinor Dashwood, Marianne's older sister. She said Elinor's main goal is to hold her family together in the midst of chaos.

    "The two sisters start off as very different from one another. As the play goes on, they begin to glean character traits from each other that makes them both more balanced as individuals," Braun said. "There's a subconscious realization that there is necessity in life for both sense and sensibility."

    Performances will be held in McGinnis Theatre at 8 p.m. Sept. 28-30, 2 p.m. Oct. 1, and 8 p.m. Oct. 2 and 3. Tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for ECU students and youth. Call 252-328-6829, email theatre@ecu.edu or visit www.ecu.edu/cs-cfac/theatredance/Playhouse.cfm for more information.