The opening notes of “Sense and Sensibility,” the luscious production from TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, succinctly capture the obstacles facing two young women of England at the twilight of the 18th century.
While sisters Marianne and Elinor Dashwood hold onto each other through life-shattering occurrences, their yearning for home leads to a powerful commitment that carries the narrative. Despite challenges the story will reveal in due time, the sisters make something clear at the onset, “Wherever you are will always be home to me.”
Paul Gordon’s stupendous musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel, staged with depth and humor by TheatreWorks’ former longtime artistic director Robert Kelley, accentuates boldly the yearning for home and financial security, informing more than a simple desire to be among society’s upper-crust. The compelling storyline is matched with a production high on spectacle, rich with humor, and long on vivacity. The songs are heartfelt, with flavorful vibrato, fantastic phrasing and commitment to a story showcasing many delightful two-part harmonies.
The world of Austen’s young women may feel shallow on the surface, yet those optics mask the vicious challenges that come with living in a gentry-dominated world that sets status at a premium. The sisters navigate a suffocating society that views someone in their middle-30s as decrepit and ancient, searching for love and security that will give them a home in literal and metaphoric senses.
The pragmatic and passionate Elinor (Sharon Rietkirk) is the “sense” of the two sisters. She approaches life with strong measure, contrasting mightily with supremely talented Marianne (Antoinette Comer), who exudes an impassioned sensibility. The sisters and mother Fanny (Melissa WolfKlain) face a future without their beloved Norland Park home due to the death of their patriarch, with the property willed to his son John (Nick Nakashima). A modest cottage is provided by a relative, and the women begin life anew, adventures of love and heartbreak just around the corner.
The lovers awaiting the Dashwood sisters range from positively pensive to ninnyish nincompoop. There is the pure Edward Ferrars (Darrell Morris, Jr.), a man so nervous about speaking with Elinor that his best initial efforts at conversation are all variations of how sorry he is about her dead father. The dashing John Willoughby (Hunter Ryan Herdlicka), inspiring one of the funnier leitmotifs of the show, is one whose agile advances are perfect for a target such as Marianne, whose intensity burns constantly.
Plot twists are plentiful, and the show’s delight is in how there is no complacency for those who bear witness to these pursuits. Do Edward’s dazzling good looks couple with a heart of glimmering gold? How about Willoughby? Is he a man of virtue or simply too good to be true?
In addition, the debonair Colonel Brandon (Noel Anthony) is a worthy suitor, but his age is a concern. Despite constant wisecracks about bones that may shatter on the next step, the Colonel looks quite good for his advanced age of 35.
The collaboration between Gordon and Kelley has spawned a delightful trio of shows from the Austen canon, including TheatreWorks’ world premieres of both “Emma” in 2007 and “Pride and Prejudice” in 2019. Now the company is presenting the regional premiere of “Sense and Sensibility.” In addition to Kelley’s sure-handed direction, the production values are quite stunning. Joe Ragey’s glittering and grand set design, along with Fumiko Bielefeldt’s striking costumes, crafts a world of sumptuous circumstance.
Gordon’s gentle and pointed lyrics register high on the swoon meter. There are no large-scale musical numbers, or any flashy choreography. Rietkirk, she of the mellifluous register, and Comer, who dazzles with a velvety vocal texture, do the bulk of the heavy lifting and deliver great harmonies. Not to be outdone, the featured performers Morris and Anthony both shine when adding a pitch to a tune, or handling solo duties. Conductor and pianist William Liberatore marches the story forward, leading a five-piece orchestra with poise.
The glee of this highly stylized, period rom-com is not simply nice lyrics and tunes that please the ear, but an emphasis on humor. It’s more than a superfluous comedy of manners, where people act posh and everyone chuckles. There is joy in the show’s poetry, along with legitimate cackles and much delight.
It’s a great story for anyone, even for incredibly old people who might be celebrating their 35th birthday.
David John Chávez is chair of the American Theatre Critics Association. Twitter @davidjchavez.
‘SENSE AND SENSIBILITY’
Book, music and lyrics by Paul Gordon, adapted from the Jane Austen novel, presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
Through: April 3
Where: Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
Health & safety: Proof of vaccination required; masks must be worn in the theater
Tickets: $30-$95; www.theatreworks.org.
Source: www.mercurynews.com