‘Sense and Sensibility’ is a Theatrical Treat

The cast of Sense and Sensibility. Photo by Avery Brunkus.

Sense and Sensibility Plays at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey

Attention Jane Austen fans: There is a fabulous new production of one of your favorite Austen novels, Sense and Sensibility, playing in Madison, NJ. Don’t miss your chance to see the time honored classic unfold live onstage at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ).

Fans of Jane Austen have been on the rise the last few years. STNJ’s Artistic Director Brian B. Crowe recently shared thoughts on this:

“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.”

So whether you are a longtime Jane Austen groupie or a recent convert to the genre, Sense and Sensibility is sure to provide a wonderful theater visit for you. It has romance, compelling characters, as well as love and heartbreak. Helping carry this all out is an outstanding cast and superb staging to bring the story to life.

The play runs about 3 fast paced hours with an intermission. The production is based on an adaptation of the novel written by Jessica Swale.

The Story Focuses on the Dashwood Sisters

The story told in Sense and Sensibility focuses on the three Dashwood sisters and their mother. Their father’s recent death leaves them with grave concerns about how they will survive without him. At first, finances do not seem to be problem as Mr. Dashwood left word with his brother, John Dashwood, to ensure that 1500 lbs. be given every year. Supposedly, that would allow them to stay in their house.

Enter John Dashwood’s wife who convinces him to take back the home where the Dashwood women live and not provide the money. This leaves Margaret Dashwood and her three daughters in a bad situation.

But this was a time period where women did not have much or any control over financial matters. Nisi Sturgis, who directs this production, suggests the following about how Jane Austen handles this dilemma in her writing:

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.

This is a good description of what takes place in the story. The Dashwood women recognize the need to be under the care and production of a man. But they also want to exercise control over their own lives. Luckily, John Middleton invites the four women to live in a cottage on his estate. It is smaller than their home was but they gratefully accept the offer.

But what next?

Is it a Man Hunt or Vice Versa?

The Dashwood sisters may have recognized the need for marriages in their lives. However, the males who enter their lives are pretty smitten with them and not just for finances. Enter Edward Ferrars and Colonel Brandon. Nice gentlemen who are a bit on the quiet side but smitten none the less with Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Young sister Margaret is a charming little girl but still too young for a romance.

Then, the oh so charming Willoughby comes on the scene showing great attraction and attention to Marianne who eats it all up. She even agrees to go to Willoughby’s home unchaperoned (a huge no-no back in the day) and listens as he tells her this will all be yours one day. As you watch this unfold, you just know he is up to no good. Later in the play someone calls him a “rogue.” Yes, a good description.

Marianne and Elinor venture on a trip to London where they learn unfortunate news about things Willoughby is involved with – hint: it’s another woman. Marianne takes it hard but she has the love of her sisters to help bolster her up.

This love between the sisters is one of the most endearing parts of the play. Amidst great misfortune, this love between the sisters and their mother provides the strength they need. Eventually each finds their own good match and all ends happily. So yes, they somehow adhere to the expectations of the times but they also know that they have the ability to endure through difficult times as well.

The Cast Provides Noteworthy Performances

The ensemble cast unites new and veteran company members, including Mandi Masden as Elinor and Billie Wyatt as as Marianne. The cast also features Terra Chaney as Margaret Dashwood and Lucy Steele, Lynette R. Freeman as Mrs. Palmer and Mrs. Dashwood, and Christian Frost as Willougby.

Sean Mahan plays Colonel Brandon. It should be noted that some cast members play two or more roles. Patrick Andrew Jsmes is seen as Edward Ferrars and Mr. Palmer. Kayla Ryan Walsh is Fanny Dashwood and Mrs. Jennings, and Patrick Toon plays five roles: Sir John, Mr. Dashwood, Thomas, Mr. Perks, and Doctor.

And the Staging is Outstanding

The stage at STNJ is a nice size for plays. However, much is done with the sets for this show to enhance it even more. This adds a lot of interest to the actions taking place.

The time and place is 1797 and scenes take place in various locations in England including Norland Park, Devonshire, London, and Cleveland.

The amazing creative team for the production includes scenic designer Brittany Vasta, costume designer Sophie S. Schneider. The lighting designer is Anthony Galaska, and sound designer is Liam Bellman-Sharpe. Kimiye Corwin is the dance consultant and Julie Foh is the dialect consultant. Mary Garrigan stage manages.

To Go to the Show

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,

For tickets, patrons can call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit ShakespeareNJ.org.

Check with the Box Office or online for final performance dates.

Posted in New Jersey Theater | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“Diversion” Now Playing Premiere Stages at Kean

: Dani Nelson, Michelle Liu Coughlin and DeAnna Lenhart. Premiere Stages 2024 production of Diversion. Photo by Mike Peters.

Diversion– 2023 Premiere Play Festival Winner

Now playing on the Premiere Stages at Kean is the winner of the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. Written by Scott Organ, the play, Diversion, is a timely selection and one that is ground breaking. It provides a look at a serious problem known as drug diversion. In this play, it involves a group of nurses.

Looking at the use of the word diversion as the title has special meaning. As explained on one of the information boards Premiere Stages created for this show: “Drug diversion occurs when medication is redirected from its intended destination for personal use, sale, or distribution to others.” It can result in a nurse’s criminal prosecution and loss of license. This is a serious situation.

Photo – K. Nowosad – Information boards for this show can be seen in the lobby of Bauer Boucher Theatre.

That definition gives you the basic problem that arises in Diversion. However, there is more to it than that. What makes this new play so timely and ground breaking is that it addresses both the dedication and after effects CoVid 19 had on the nursing profession. The play includes references to those issues. I applaud Playwright Organ and the Premiere Stages for selecting this play as it is time to start talking about this topic.

Drugs are Missing – the Story Begins

Premiere Stages Producing Artistic Director, John J. Wooten, does a marvelous job directing this production. The action drives forward with an air of mystery to it. The story is well written with interesting dialog throughout. It entails meeting the characters. listening to their background issues, and determining if they are a part of the diversion.

Diversion begins with a new nurse on the ICU unit, Mandy (Edit Salas Miller), sound asleep in the break room. When nurse Amy (DeAnna Lenhart) tries to wake her, it becomes apparent that she is in a deep sleep. Several nurses have seen this happen a few times and wonder why this is happening. When she finally wakes up, she explains that she had a late night with her boyfriend.

The other nurses of the unit have issues stemming back from the chaos of CoVid 19. These were the people who were on the front lines treating those who were ill from this virus. They experienced difficulties with having to work double and sometimes triple shifts. Flashbacks of bad experiences haunt some of them as well as some physical problems like a bad knee suffered by Emilia ( Dani Nelson). Also working with this group is nurse is Mike (Lucas Iverson) who has issues with a family member.

The Investigation

Enter Bess ( Jeaniene Green) who supervises the unit. She asks to meet with the entire group. At this meeting, she tells them that drugs were stolen from the hospital. She explains that the hospital has hired a consultant, Josephine (Michelle Liu Coughlin) to try to find out who is involved with the diversion. When Josephine meets the group, she says that she is collecting data; but those who have been there for awhile know better. This inclusion of the consultant seems to be disturbing.

Lucas Iverson, Jeaniene Green, and Michelle Liu Coughlin. Premiere Stages 2024 production of Diversion. Photo by Mike Peters.

As the play moves towards its climax, there are several who could be guilty of the diversion. However, it may come as a surprise when the truth is revealed. Keep in mind the definition of a diversion and that it has several parts to it. That will explain the conclusion that is reached.

The set design add much to this production. You will feel like you are actually in a hospital setting.The professional design team of Bethanie Wampol (Set Designer) and Zack Gage (Sound Designer) deserve a big round of applause for their work. Keep those applause going for Tyler Sautner (Sound Designer), Karen Lee Hart (Costume Designer), Jennifer Bonilla (Props Master), Dale Smallwood (Production Stage Manager), and Jenna Gregson (Assistant Stage Manager).

All in all, Diversion is a play well worth going to see. I hope that this presentation as the Winner of the 2023 Premiere Play Festival is just the beginning for it.

Go to see Diversion

Diversion runs September 5-September 22 in the Bauer Boucher Theatre Center on the Kean University main campus in Union, N.J.

The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays, September 7 and 14  at 3pm & 8pm. Saturday, September 21 the show is at 3pm and Sundays at 3pm. Newly added to the schedule is a 2pm performance on Friday, September 20.

To purchase tickets, please call the box office at 908-737-7469 or visit Premiere Stages at premierestagesatkean.com

Posted in New Jersey Theater, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Book of Will – Preserving the Bard’s Work

The Book of Will – A Review

Playing through July 28 at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is The Book of Will. Lauren Gunderson wrote this play around 2017 in order to honor Shakespeare for “igniting her ambitions as a playwright.”

This is the first time the play is running at the Madison theater. Bonnie Monte directs this entertaining and historically informative play. It is based on true events as researched by Playwright Gunderson. At a recent audience symposium, Ms. Monte noted that events and circumstances in the play have historic research backing them up. However, the dialog would be something that was written for the play’s purposes and would not necessarily be based on exact information.

The Book of Will is about the search, collection, and printing of Shakespeare’s plays. It begins in 1619, three years after William Shakespeare’s death. It concludes in 1623 with the publication of the completed volume of Shakespeare’s works.

The production does a fine job of showing that this task was no small event. Methods of recording and printing were much different in the 17th Century from current day.

During the play, I recalled my days in college studying English Literature. One of the requirements was to take a course on Shakespeare. I remember going to the bookstore to purchase the textbook. It was a huge book, the largest I owned. It was an anthology of the complete works of Shakespeare. I felt like I owned the world. Because of attending The Book of Will, I realized what happened to make that book be available to me. The play is indeed a tribute to all who toiled so diligently in a time period where preserving written words was not an easy task. I thank them for the work they did.

How It Begins

The play opens with an actor taking center stage and doing a funny interpretation of a scene from Hamlet. It is overheard by people who have been a part of the acting troupe at the Globe theater, performing the true Works of Shakespeare.

As the scene shifts to the Globe Tap House, three members of Shakespeare’s acting troupe, the King’s Men, take center stage. These three are good friends and they enjoyed their friendship with William Shakespeare. John Heminges (Anthony Marble), Henry Condell (Michael Stewart Allen) and Richard Burbage (Brent Harris) get talking about plays they were in. Familiar lines are recited as they denounce a fake version of Hamlet. Alice (Carolyne Leys) John’s daughter, serves them ale.

The next day, the friends learn that Richard Burbage died in his sleep. They meet again at the Globe Tap House and all drink to his memory. However, as they talk, they realize that their departed friend was probably the only person who knew all of Shakespeare’s plays from memory. Sadly, they acknowledge that with no real record of the plays, Shakespeare’s life’s work may be lost forever.

They voice concerns that people are starting to plagiarize and misrepresent the work of their beloved friend, Shakespeare. They decide to make it their mission to find copies of his plays including his side notes. After they find everything, their plan includes sending out to a printer then accumulating the final work into one large volume. 

The Task is Not an Easy One

The first stop is to see Ed Knight (Patrick Toon), the Globe “stage manager,”and ask for every manuscript he has. Ed only has five of Shakespeare’s plays. They learn that the rest were lost when the original Globe Theatre burned down in 1613.

So the task becomes collecting as many manuscripts, prompt books, and actor side notes (cue cards) as they can.

Now that sounds easy, but it wasn’t so easy back then. Writing by hand on parchment didn’t always work out well.

Carolyne Leys as Alice Heminges, Victoria Mack as Rebecca Heminges, Amy Hutchins as Elizabeth Condell, Anthony Marble as John Heminges, Michael Stewart Allen as Henry Condell Photo by Avery Brunkus

As they’re doing that, they realize they have to appoint people to actually go through and edit and make sure everything matches what they remember saying and performing.

Finally they have to locate a printer that will take on the job. They do find the person who is willing to do it, but of course there’s circumstances that make that difficult too.

Guttenberg invented the printing press in 1440. However, the use of the process was not highly encouraged in England. According to notes provided by Shakespeare Theatre of NJ in their Know the Show Guide for this show , “All print shops and book sellers were required to clear their work with government censors, leaving British publishing effectively stunted.” The cost to print was high so plays were rarely printed. Thus the need to come up with money to fund the project becomes a source of great concern that must be solved.

How It Ends

The second act goes into more details about how the process takes place. Along the way, life shows some difficult moments. Several people die, including loving family members. All feel the grief.

Eventually, the project does reach completion. It is a wonderful moment in the show when all the pieces are put together and the large volume is presented to Anne Hathaway (Victoria Mack), Shakespeare’s wife. 

Jack Steiner as Ralph Crane, Isaac Hickox Young as Isaac Jaggard, Michael Stewart Allen as Henry Condell, Anthony Marble as John Heminges, Patrick Toon as Marcus Photo by Avery Brunku

The final scene shows the friends and and going through the book and you hear a number of the very famous plays mentioned as they come across them. This well done scene is a magical moment in the play.

Captivating Moments

Outstanding in the play is the love we see from Shakespeare’s friends to complete their project. This love is shown in many different ways. The acting from this very fine cast brings the story to life.

Parts of the play are funny and parts are reflective.

One of the funniest parts comes from the character Ben Johnson (Pearce Bunting). Johnson was Poet Laureate of England who enjoyed his drinks. At first, he creates some problems with the project. So, the friends decide to create some unity with him. They ask him to write an Introduction to the volume in progress. The scenes where they approach him and his finished product are cleverly written and funny.

A well designed set adds much to the story. The depiction of the Globe Pub helps the audience feel like they are back in the 1600’s. Additionally, there are interesting displays authentic to the time of how paper looked after it was printed.

There is much to like about this show.

Go to See The Book of Will

The Book of Will runs through July 28, 2024. Times include 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.

Performances are at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University: 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940. Parking is free and convenient.

For tickets or more information, visit the Theatre’s website at ShakespeareNJ.org or call 973-408-5600

Posted in New Jersey Theater | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment