Wit and Wisdom
November 29, 2012Events

Wit and Wisdom

After months of political jousting, it just might be time for a nice cup o’ tea, some Mozart on the spinet, and a story of rivals that isn’t quite so … unpleasant. The wit and wisdom of Jane Austen is fitting for such times, and the Milwaukee Repertory Theater obliges with a staged version of Austen’s first published novel, Sense and Sensibility. There will be no live-blogging of the show. But afterward, you can retire to the drawing room and politely debate the relative merits of the Dashwood sisters: level-headed Elinor or passionate and impulsive Marianne. The Rep’s resident Brit…

BY Paul Kosidowski

After months of political jousting, it just might be time for a nice cup o’ tea, some Mozart on the spinet, and a story of rivals that isn’t quite so … unpleasant. The wit and wisdom of Jane Austen is fitting for such times, and the Milwaukee Repertory Theater obliges with a staged version of Austen’s first published novel, Sense and Sensibility. There will be no live-blogging of the show. But afterward, you can retire to the drawing room and politely debate the relative merits of the Dashwood sisters: level-headed Elinor or passionate and impulsive Marianne. The Rep’s resident Brit – Artistic Director Mark Clements – knows Austen well, and Mark Healy’s adaptation is the right one for the job.

→ Sense and Sensibility (Dec. 11-Jan. 13). Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Quadracci Powerhouse Theater. 108 E. Wells St., 414-224-9490, milwaukeerep.com.

Paul Kosidowski
Paul Kosidowski is a freelance writer and critic who contributes regularly to Milwaukee Magazine, WUWM Milwaukee Public Radio and national arts magazines. He writes weekly reviews and previews for the Culture Club column. He was literary director of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater from 1999-2006. In 2007, he was a fellow with the NEA Theater and Musical Theater Criticism Institute at the University of Southern California. His writing has also appeared in American Theatre magazine, Backstage, The Boston Globe, Theatre Topics, and Isthmus (Madison, Wis.). He has taught theater history, arts criticism and magazine writing at Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

You may also like

  1. 12 Beer Events Brewing in Milwaukee This Week: May 13-18

    May 13, 2026

  2. 15 Things to Do in Milwaukee This Weekend: May 14-17

  3. World Cup Watch Parties Come to Potawatomi Casino Hotel