STERLING — With several movie versions, television productions and stage adaptations, Jane Austin’s “Sense and Sensibility” has proven to be one of history’s best-loved romance stories. It will come to life on the Sterling College Theatre stage on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 and 6 in a new adaptation by playwright Kate Hamill. 

“Sense and Sensibility” follows sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood as they navigate the ups and downs of English society and romance in the late 18th century. Having recently lost their father, the Dashwood sisters and their mother are forced to move leaving behind friends, and for Elinor, an important young man. However, with Elinor’s practicality, Marianne’s exuberance and younger sister Margaret’s chatter, they make a happy home. Circumstances improve further when Marianne meets a dashing young man. But after he departs suddenly, both Marianne and Elinor are left wondering what has become of the men they care for. 

The show’s director, senior student Ardynn Hershberger, has chosen to present the story with little set and few props to allow the audience to focus more on the story and characters. 

“I really want people to see the story of ‘Sense and Sensibility’ and to see the people in the story and not just write it off as a British romance,” said Hershberger. 

Elinor Dashwood will be played by Sterling College freshman Kaitlyn Lumbert of Wichita. Marianne Dashwood will be played by sophomore Maria Urwiller of Hutchinson. Margaret Dashwood will be played by sophomore Alicia DeHaan of Salina. Jenna Weis, senior of Little River, will play Mrs. Dashwood. Torey Wilson, sophomore of Rural Hall, NC, will play Edward Ferrars. Nicholas Gift of Stafford will be seen as Willoughby and Nilo Reynoso of Long Beach, CA will be Colonel Brandon. Cate Gutteridge of Oklahoma City, OK will play Mrs. Jennings. Bryson Browlee of Sterling will play Sir John Middleton. Others in the cast include Addison Owens of Wichita, Keeley Coon of Eureka and Dylan Werth of Hays. 

All performances of “Sense and Sensibility” will take place in Culbertson Auditorium on the Sterling College campus. Social distancing and masks for audience members will be required. Tickets will be available at the door and will be $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students.