Sense & Sensibility

Synopsis

Jane Austen's timeless story of love, loss, and social expectations follows the Dashwood women—Elinor, Marianne, and their mother—as they navigate reduced circumstances and romantic entanglements in Regency England. Based on the classic novel, two sisters are thrust into poverty by their brother's scheming wife. Reduced to living with their mother in a tiny cottage with their prospects for marriage nearly ruined, the sisters are nevertheless courted by three dynamic men, each with a dark secret.

Impressions

Playing Mrs. Dashwood in The 413 Project's production of Sense & Sensibility at Tea Lane Parlor in Fallbrook was a unique theatrical experience that combined professional theater with immersive dining entertainment. This innovative production, which ran June 22-July 1, 2018, required adapting my performance to an intimate, interactive setting where the audience enjoyed English high tea during the show. The challenge was maintaining the dignity and emotional depth of Mrs. Dashwood while performing in close proximity to dining patrons, requiring careful modulation of vocal projection and physical staging. Working within the Tea Lane Parlor's historic setting enhanced the Regency period atmosphere, and the beautiful costumes helped establish the authentic world of Austen's characters. Mrs. Dashwood's role as the family's emotional anchor became even more poignant in this intimate setting, where every subtle expression and gesture was visible to the audience. The production's focus on the sisters' financial struggles and reduced circumstances resonated particularly well in the cottage-like parlor setting, making the family's situation feel immediate and real. Collaborating with this talented San Diego cast, including Paige Townsend as Marianne and Katherine Nielsen as Elinor, created rich family dynamics that served Austen's complex character relationships. This production demonstrated how classical literature can be successfully adapted to contemporary, experiential theater formats while maintaining the source material's emotional truth and social commentary.

Press

Featured in Broadway World San Diego (June 19, 2018)

Production photographs