Synopsis

Act I

Scene 1:  Open on a chorus of gossips (Regency tweeters) telling us where we are and filling us in on the death of Henry Dashwood and the effect on his widow and daughters, Elinor and Marianne. Our principals weave through the unfolding story. (In Society)

Scene 2:  Norland, the former home of Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters. Now, because Mrs. Dashwood was her husband’s second wife, the estate has passed to John Dashwood (Henry’s son) and his grasping wife Fanny. Elinor is packing as Mrs. Dashwood and Marianne lament their plight and complain about John and Fanny who have essentially thrown them out, forcing them to move to a relative’s cottage in Devonshire. Elinor tells her sister and mother that they must face facts and make the best of it. (We Must Have Sense). Edward Ferrars, Fanny’s brother, comes to say goodbye to the Dashwoods. He has been taken by surprise by their sudden departure. When left alone with Elinor, Edward seems to want to say something important, but, to Elinor’s deep frustration, he doesn’t. (If I Could)

Scene 3: Barton, Devonshire. The ever-practical Elinor is unpacking as Marianne bursts through the door. She is intoxicated by the countryside around their modest new home (Impossibly Romantic). She says even Edward might fall under the spell of the place. Elinor objects to this, which leads to an argument between the sisters on the nature of love. (That’s Not Love). The boisterous owners of the estate, Sir John and Mrs. Jennings clatter onto the scene, and Mrs. Jennings wants to know why two such attractive ladies are not attached to men. She has invited a neighbor, Col. Brandon to the cottage to meet the girls, and Brandon immediately falls for Marianne, who, when he’s left, Marianne dismisses as “ancient.”

Scene 4: Sir John takes it upon himself to instruct Brandon on how to capture Marianne’s heart. He loudly recommends aggressive action, but Mrs. Jennings counsels gentleness and romantic wooing. (Forward, Ever Forward!) A huge thunderstorm breaks, and Brandon is about to rush out and save Marianne when a dashing young gentleman comes into view carrying the girl through the rain toward the cottage.

Scene 5:  Marianne, who has fallen and sprained her ankle, falls in a much more profound way for Willoughby’s romantic air. Brandon makes a tactical retreat.

Scene 6: Sir John and Mrs. Jennings host a country dance at the big house during which Marianne and Willoughby rudely break the patterns of the dance to stay together, finally running off together into the night. In a break from the dance, Elinor and Brandon meet on the terrace just outside the ballroom. Elinor apologizes for Marianne’s behavior, but Brandon tells her that Marianne must be allowed to be who she is. (Don’t Try to Change Her) When Brandon has left, Mrs. Jennings gossips about a tragic affair that Brandon has never gotten over and hints that it involves a “natural child.” As she leaves, she gives Elinor a letter that has arrived for her announcing that Edward Ferrars will be visiting Barton.

Scene 7: Plymouth. Edward visits his old tutor on his way to Barton, and we learn that he had an affair with the tutor’s ward, Lucy, and has been coerced into promising to marry her. Though this is a vow he now wants desperately to break, he doesn’t know how. (An Honorable Man)

Scene 8:  Norland. Fanny worries that Edward is visiting Elinor instead of finding a suitable woman to marry.

Scene 9: Edward and Elinor are alone on a path above the sea in Barton. Edward confides to Elinor that he wants to be a country rector, but his family thinks he’s crazy. (A Quiet Life) He feels wonderful when Elinor thinks it’s a perfect occupation for him. They almost kiss, but Edward pulls away.

Scene 10: Back at the cottage. Willoughby and Marianne sing their provocative song, chiding Edward for not proposing to Elinor. (The Saucy Sailor Boy) Edward exits in distress, leaving Elinor very cross with Marianne. This leads to an angry reprise of That’s Not Love.

Scene 11: Marianne and Willoughby are on the hill where they first met. They revel in their mutual love of the same poets, the same music, the same everything. (Summer’s Day) Willoughby borrows Marianne’s sewing scissors and snips a lock of her hair and asks if he might come the next day and visit her mother.

Scene 13: Elinor is painting a watercolor when she is interrupted by Mrs. Jennings who introduces her to Lucy Steele, a relative she “didn’t know she had”. Lucy reveals she and Edward have been secretly engaged for four years. (An Honorable Man reprise). Elinor is devastated. Mrs. Dashwood calls Elinor into the cottage and says that Marianne and Willoughby will be coming with a “terribly important” announcement. But when they arrive, Marianne is sobbing. Willoughby says he has been summoned to London by his benefactress and will be gone for at least a year. As the act ends, the Dashwoods are left totally without prospects, surrounded by the jeering chorus. (In Society reprise)

Act II

Scene 1:  Barton Cottage. Marianne is frantically writing letters to Willoughby. Months pass, but she gets no reply. (Anxiety in Society) Mrs. Jennings finally decides there’s been enough moping about and invites the sisters and Lucy to come to London to attend the Harvest Ball.

Scene 2:  The girls prepare to go to London. (London) Marianne and Lucy are ecstatic. Elinor is not. Mrs. Dashwood will stay in Barton.

Scene 3: London. The Harvest Ball. Lucy meets Edward’s brother Robert. As Marianne searches the crowd for Willoughby, Brandon shows up and tries to persuade Marianne to leave with him. Marianne spots Willoughby and runs up to him, only to find he is with another woman, Miss Grey, a wealthy widow. When Willoughby pretends he hardly knows Marianne, she is crushed.

Scene 4: Split stage -- Miss Grey’s townhouse/Mrs. Jennings townhouse. Willoughby writes a letter to Marianne as Miss Grey supervises (The Letter) As he writes, Marianne reads the letter. When she’s done, she hands the letter to Elinor and runs off sobbing.

Scene 5: The chorus gossip about the events at the ball (Scandal!) They narrate as Brandon and Willoughby meet to fight a duel with pistols. Willoughby shoots first and misses. Brandon contemptuously fires in the air.

Scene 6:  Mrs. Jennings’ Townhouse. Col. Brandon comes to call.  He’s heard about Willoughby.  Brandon tells Elinor about his lost love, Eliza (I Once Knew a Girl). This leads to a revelation about Willoughby’s sordid seduction and abandonment of his ward, Eliza’s. A fierce storm breaks.  The colonel rushes out to look for Marianne. Mrs. Jennings and Lucy enter as the maid sets out the tea things. Edward enters and is shocked to see Lucy there. Mrs. Jennings insists he stay for tea. (Awkward) Marianne enters with Brandon. Both are soaking wet. Marianne is delighted to see Edward, but he says he has to leave, and Lucy latches onto him as he goes. Marianne is furious to see him leave with Lucy.

Scene 7:  Regents Park. Edward and Lucy are walking among the statues of famous men, and Lucy projects an ideal future when Edward will be a great man, and she will be by his side. (With Me Beside You) Unseen by Lucy or Edward, Fanny enters the park, her wheelchair pushed by Edward, prodded by Lucy, introduces her as his fiancée. Mrs. Ferrars slaps Lucy and chases her off.

Scene 8: Mrs. Jennings’ townhouse. Marianne, in deep despair, and becoming sick, goes to rest. The colonel has heard about Edward and Lucy. Feeling sorry for the unhappy couple, (and unaware of Elinor’s history with Edward) he asks Elinor to do him a favor and to offer Edward the position of rector on his estate. After Brandon leaves, Edward then enters, and Elinor dutifully passes on Brandon’s offer. Edward is puzzled but pleased. He thanks Elinor for putting in a good word for him, but Elinor says she had nothing to do with it and exits, leaving Edward more distressed than ever. (I’ll Believe Anything)

Scene 9: Elinor tells Marianne about Lucy and comforts her (Sleep, Baby Sleep). Marianne passes out and a doctor is summoned. Brandon gallops off to Barton to fetch Mrs. Dashwood.  Day becomes night and then day again (Morning to Evening). As the doctor examines Marianne, Willoughby arrives hoping to see Marianne. He says he still loves her and hates the woman he was forced to marry. Elinor throws him out. The doctor tells Elinor that he’s done everything he can. Elinor kneels by Marianne’s bedside and tries to maintain hope by force of her iron will. (I Must Have Sense) As Elinor finally breaks down, Marianne’s eyes flutter open. The fever has broken.  Elinor’s bitter tears turn to tears of joy. Col. Brandon arrives with Mrs. Dashwood. Marianne extends her hand to Brandon, who kisses it tenderly.

Scene 10:  Barton Park. Two months later. Sir John and Mrs. Jennings discuss Marianne’s growing attachment to Brandon, Sir John lamenting that it’s cost him a hunting partner.

Scene 11: Barton Cottage. Marianne is much recovered. Col. Brandon enters with a gift for her, a book by Cowper, her favorite poet, and signed by the author. As Brandon reads to Marianne, Elinor and Mrs. Dashwood bathe in the warm glow of Marianne’s happiness. (A Second Chance) Everything is quite cheerful when a servant enters with news from town: Mr. Ferrars and Lucy Steele have married.  This gives Elinor a visible jolt, which is compounded a moment later when Edward himself arrives at the door!  No one knows what to say.  Finally, Elinor congratulates him on his marriage.  Edward replies, “You must mean my brother’s marriage.” Lucy has eloped with Robert Ferrars!  Edward wastes no time in asking Elinor to marry him.  Elinor wastes no time in accepting.

Scene 12: The Chapel on Brandon’s Estate. The joyous wedding of Elinor and Edward, during which, of course, Marianne catches the bouquet. (Act II Finale)