Jane Austen's 'Sense & Sensibility' To Be Performed At Summit Playhouse

SUMMIT, NJ — The classic Jane Austen tale "Sense & Sensibility" will take the Summit Playhouse stage starting this week.

The fall production opens Friday and runs through Nov. 5. Tickets are on sale now and can be found on the Summit Playhouse website.

The play written by Kate Hamill is an adaption of Jane Austen's famous novel that follows the fortunes and misfortunes of the Dashwood sisters after their father's sudden death leaves them financially destitute and socially vulnerable, according to Broadway.com.

Summit Playhouse's production is directed by Susan Speidal who has served for 20 years as the Director of Education at the Toward Award-winning Paper Mill Playhouse.

Speidal told Broadway.com that the cast is a mix of experienced and new actors but are all funny, talented and hardworking. She also said she wants audiences to know that "this play is funnier than they think it's going to be."

"Many people are of the opinion that Jane Austen's works are staid and reserved," Speidal told Broadway.com. "In reality, however, her writing is wickedly funny and full of scathing social commentary."

The cast list is as follows:

GUILIANA BARTUCCI, Elinor Dashwood

CHRISTINE TALARICO, Marianne Dashwood

KAREN THORNTON, Mrs. Dashwood

LAETITIA HUBERT, Margaret Dashwood

RACHAEL DIMICHINO, Fanny Dashwood

LORRAINE FORD DeMAN, Mrs. Jennings

PETER DESPRES, Edward Ferrers

JASON KRUK, Colonel Brandon

NICK FOIL, John Willoughby

MATT MARINO, John Dashwood

CHARLES GRAYSON, Sir John Middleton

LISA BARNETT, Gossip 2, Lady Middleton, Mrs. Ferrars

SUSAN HAGEN, Gossip 4, Anne Steele, Ball Guest

JESSICA PHELAN, Gossip 3, Lucy Steele, Ball Guest

NOAH KUDMAN, Gossip 1, Robert Ferrers, Thomas, Ball Guest

ROBERT PODOLAK, Gossip 5, Doctor, Servant, Ball Guest