Experience an Inspired Adaptation of a Jane Austen Classic at WICA

— Created April 12, 2026 by Samantha Goodman

Experience an Inspired Adaptation of a Jane Austen Classic at WICA

Georgian England comes to the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) April 10–25 with a fresh adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. By award‑winning playwright Kate Hamill, the WICA production will be directed by Rose Woods, recently of WICA’s Justice and A Room in the Castle. Full of humor and emotional depth, the production is an inspired take on Austen’s treasured novel and will open on WICA’s newly renovated Mainstage in a bright, bold, and theatrical way.

Set in the late 18th century, Sense and Sensibility centers on sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, whose lives are turned upside down when their father dies suddenly, leaving them penniless and with reputations at stake. Together, the women must learn to mix sense with sensibility to find happiness in a society where love is ruled by money.

“This is more than just a romance. It is a story of two strong women who carve out their own identities,” said WICA Executive Artistic Director Deana Duncan. “It’s beautiful to see them navigate what ‘sense’ and ‘sensibility’ mean to them. Austen has been beloved for more than two centuries for the characters she brings to life in her novels, and we’re thrilled to honor her work in our very own, modern production of this iconic story.”

Hamill’s adaptation has been praised by American Theatre for revitalizing Austen’s work for modern audiences through a fast‑paced, high‑energy approach, emphasizing feminist agency and social critique. The adaptation breaks from traditional period drama with bold theatrical elements that reflect societal pressures.

For Hamill, adapting this beloved work was also about creating more roles for women. “I decided that if there were going to be more classical roles for women, I would need to write them,” she said in an interview with Folger Theatre.

The WICA production features local and regional talent, many of whom are familiar faces on the WICA stage.

Cast

• Andrew Fling as Edward Ferrars
• April Jane Herrild as Elinor Dashwood
• Grace Webb as Lucy Steele / Lady Middleton / Charlotte / Gossip
• Jeff Natter as Sir John / Doctor / Mr. Dashwood / Gossip
• Laura Berkley as Mrs. Jennings / Gossip
• Levi Redmill as Willoughby / Robert Ferrars / Thomas / Servant / Gossip
• Lucy Curling as Marianne Dashwood
• Marta Mulholland as Fanny Dashwood / Mrs. Dashwood / Gossip
• Miles Harrison as Colonel Brandon / John Dashwood
• Rachael Spencer as Margaret Dashwood / Anne Steele / Gossip

The production begins a three‑week run on April 10 with an opening night party and a specialty cocktail.

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit https://www.wicaonline.org/theatre.