Book-It Repertory Theatre once again comes up roses with the world premiere of “Sense and Sensibility”, its fourth original adaptation of a Jane Austen novel. Adapted by Jen Taylor from Austen’s first published novel, “Sense and Sensibility,” it follows the penniless but genteel Dashwood sisters as they circumnavigate the hazards and constraints of the Regency world in pursuit of not only suitable husbands, but love.
Book-It’s unique style that intersperses spoken narrative with dialogue is ideally suited to Austen’s work because so much of the humor resides in the narrative. Particularly in the case of “Sense and Sensibility”, the character of Elinor (Kjerstine Anderson) is highly internal so that the audience can comprehend her internal struggles only through the narrative. Under Makaela Pollock’s able direction, Anderson places the perfect emphasis on the spoken narrative to bring out the ironies of character and situation.
Elinor embodies the “sense” of the title, and Anderson does a fine job of conveying the calm exterior under which emotions roil. Jessica Martin brings a perfect touch of teenaged arrogance (as well as believably teenaged looks) to her role as the turbulent Marianne (sensibility.) Aaron Blakely infuses the cad Willoughby with enough genuine feeling that, in spite of his cruelties, we pity him in the end. Some fun dual casting choices generate excellent character representations from Jason Marr as both the socially uncertain Edward Ferrars and his undeservedly confident brother Robert, while Shawn Law doubles as henpecked John Dashwood and the dour Mr. Palmer.
The clever minimalist set by Pete Rush converts from Regency drawing room to pastoral landscape in the flash of a curtain. Deane Middleton’s layered period costumes allow quick onstage changes.
Book-It’s production covers all the high points of a complex story in a fast-moving couple of hours, leaving one wishing for more. “Sense and Sensiblity” plays at the Center House Theatre through June 26.
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