The plight of two unmarried sisters takes center stage in Mark Healy’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, staged by the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Marianne, 16, is the “sense” in the play, which is set in England around 1800. Lithe, energetic and flirtatious, she often behaves the way one would expect of a girl blossoming into womanhood.
The older sister, Elinor, represents the play’s “sensibility.” She is smart, reserved and handsome. Elinor is the character who understands that, in her day, women only move up in the world through their husbands. Thus, the selection of the proper husband involves much more than “falling in love.” The girl’s mother, an impoverished widow, sets her cap to marry the two girls as soon as possible. However, their lack of a dowry poses a definite challenge to reaching this goal.
A kindly relative allows the family to stay in the cottage on his estate. There, the girls meet all sorts of possible suitors. At first, Marianne scorns the notion of marrying a 35-year-old colonel (“he’s practically as old as my father,” she notes). But it’s clear from the start that the Colonel is definitely interested. Instead, Marianne is literally swept off her feet by the dashing Willoughby. Young, muscular and sensitive (basically, the Hugh Jackman of his day), Willoughby is much more to Marianne’s liking than the stodgy colonel.
The two girls and their relationships form the core of this production. Victoria Mack shines as the dreamy Marianne. Her character “lives” through romantic poetry the way that today’s adolescents throng to PG-rated romantic films. All her senses are awakened in this production, most notably during a rainstorm. A real shower of water pours down on her laughing face, and this image of her persists in the audiences’ minds through the rest of the show. Kate Hurster is equally impressive as Elinor.
Director Art Manke does an excellent job of portraying the sister’s affection for each other, but he is not quite as successful when attempting to pair Marianne with the Colonel (John-Patrick Driscoll). Even on the eve of their wedding, they still seem worlds apart.
Something is also missing when Elinor receives an unexpected visit from Willoughby (Ben Jacoby) near the end of the play. Elinor, perhaps distraught by Marianne’s illness, shows nothing but disgust for Willoughby. Though he explains that his situation (i.e., poverty) is not so very different from the girls’ own, Elinor shows not a hint of sympathy for the rascal. Many actors in this production do some doubling, which provides the audience with a dividend. For instance, Nick Gabriel spends most of the time as Edward, the man to whom Elinor is drawn. But in one scene he makes a comical appearance as Edward’s foppish, gaudily-dressed brother, Robert. Laura Gordon, one of Milwaukee’s best-known actors, takes on the role as Mrs. Dashwood, mother of Marianne and Elinor. In this role, she is every inch the grieving widow. But later, she transforms herself into Mrs. Jennings, the loud-mouthed town gossip and matchmaker. Although glimmerings of Gordon peek out through both characters, they are as different as night and day.
In the case of another actor, Meaghan Sullivan, the deliberately horrid behavior she displays as the scheming Fanny is much like Lucy, the girls’ distant cousin. However, Sullivan impresses in how she portrays these similar – but again, distinctly different - characters.
As one might expect for a company as large as the Milwaukee Rep, this period piece comes with all the trimmings. The sets are glorious to see, and the lighting/special effects are matchless. The costumes are to die for. The two girls seem snatched from a Fragonard painting as they float across the stage in their flowing, empire-waisted gowns. Jane Austen fans will be delighted to see some of their favorite characters come to life in this dazzling production.
Opened:
December 11, 2012
Ended:
January 13, 2013
Country:
USA
State:
Wisconsin
City:
Milwaukee
Company/Producers:
Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Theater Type:
Regional
Theater:
Milwaukee Repertory Theater - Quadracci Powerhouse Theater
Theater Address:
108 East Wells Street
Phone:
414-224-9490
Website:
milwaukeerep.com
Running Time:
2 hrs, 30 min
Genre:
Drama
Director:
Art Manke
Choreographer:
Art Manke
Review:
Cast:
Jonathan Gillard Daly (Henry/Carey/Sir John/Dr. Grogan); John-Patrick Driscoll (John Dashwood/Colonel Brandon); Nick Gabriel (Edward/Robert Ferrars); Kate Hurster (Elinor); Victoria Mack (Marianne).
Technical:
Set: Scott Bradley; Costumes: Angela Balough Calin; Lighting: Thomas C. Hase
Critic:
Anne Siegel
Date Reviewed:
December 2012
