Chicago Shakespeare’s “Sense and Sensibility” Cast Recording Released

Chicago Shakespeare’s “Sense and Sensibility” Cast Recording Released 1 Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces today the release of the Chicago Shakespeare cast recording of the highly acclaimed world premiere production Sense and Sensibility, a musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel, with book, music and lyrics by Tony Award®-nominated composer Paul Gordon. Directed by Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and developed with Creative Producer Rick Boynton, the new musical tracing the lives of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood enjoyed a sold-out extended run in CST’s Courtyard Theater April 18–June 14, 2015. The cast recording is now available for $20 at www.chicagoshakes.com/senseCD, or by calling 312.595.5600. The album includes 27 tracks from composer, lyricist and book writer Paul Gordon’s celebrated score, including “Somewhere in Silence,” “So the Poets Say” and “The Wrong Side of Five and Thirty.” Sense and Sensibility was nominated for four Joseph Jefferson Awards for the 2014/15 Season, and took away the highly coveted award for Outstanding New Musical. Gordon is best known as co-writer of the Broadway musical Jane Eyre, which was nominated for five Tony Awards in 2000, including Best Musical and Best Score, and his musical adaptation of Austen’s Emma which won the 2007 Bay Area Critics Circle Award. Sense and Sensibility also features orchestrations by Tony Award®-winners Larry Hochman (Book of Mormon, 2011) and Bruce Coughlin (The Light in the Piazza, 2005), with additional arrangements by Curtis Moore.

unnamed-2Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces today the release of the Chicago Shakespeare cast recording of the highly acclaimed world premiere production Sense and Sensibility, a musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel, with book, music and lyrics by Tony Award®-nominated composer Paul Gordon. Directed by Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and developed with Creative Producer Rick Boynton, the new musical tracing the lives of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood enjoyed a sold-out extended run in CST’s Courtyard Theater April 18–June 14, 2015. The cast recording is now available for $20 at www.chicagoshakes.com/senseCD, or by calling 312.595.5600. The album includes 27 tracks from composer, lyricist and book writer Paul Gordon’s celebrated score, including “Somewhere in Silence,” “So the Poets Say” and “The Wrong Side of Five and Thirty.” Sense and Sensibility was nominated for four Joseph Jefferson Awards for the 2014/15 Season, and took away the highly coveted award for Outstanding New Musical. Gordon is best known as co-writer of the Broadway musical Jane Eyre, which was nominated for five Tony Awards in 2000, including Best Musical and Best Score, and his musical adaptation of Austen’s Emma which won the 2007 Bay Area Critics Circle Award. Sense and Sensibility also features orchestrations by Tony Award®-winners Larry Hochman (Book of Mormon, 2011) and Bruce Coughlin (The Light in the Piazza, 2005), with additional arrangements by Curtis Moore.

Featured on the recording is the critically acclaimed cast of Chicago Shakespeare’s production of Sense and Sensibility. In a Jeff Award-nominated performance for Actress in a Principal Role, Megan McGinnis originated the role of the wildly romantic Marianne, joined by Sharon Rietkerkas the practical and dutiful Elinor. The gentleman callers who attract the Dashwood sisters’ attentions were played by Wayne Wilcox as Edward Ferrars, Sean Allan Krill as Colonel Brandon (Jeff Award-nominated for Actor in a Supporting Role) and Peter Saide as Willoughby. Also included on the recording are Michael Aaron Lindner (John Middleton), Paula Scrofano(Mrs. Jennings), David Schlumpf (John Dashwood), Tiffany Scott (Fanny Dashwood) and Emily Berman (Lucy Steele).

The orchestra, led by Music Director Laura Bergquist, featured Andrew McCann (Violin 1), Carmen Kassinger (Violin 2), Ben Wedge (Viola), Jill Kaeding (Cello), Scott Rosenthal(Bass), Sean McNeely (Reed 1), Ricardo Castaneda (Reed 2), Jeremiah Frederick (Horn) and Ethan Deppe (Percussion).

The production’s creative team included Choreographer Harrison McEldowney, Assistant Director Kate Galvin and Music Assistant Michael Kaish with music preparation by Howard Begun. The production’s design team included Scenic Designer Kevin Depinet, Costume Designer Susan E. Mickey (nominated for a Jeff Award for Costume Design), Lighting Designer Don Holder, Wig and Make-up Designer Melissa Veal and Sound Designers Ray Nardelli and Dan Mead.

The Sense and Sensibility original cast recording is now on-sale for $20 at www.chicagoshakes.com/senseCD. For more information, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater’s website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER
Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) is a leading international theater company and the recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award®. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, CST is dedicated to creating extraordinary production of classics, new works and family programming; to unlocking Shakespeare’s work for educators and students; and to serving as Chicago’s cultural ambassador through its World’s Stage Series. Through a year-round season encompassing more than 650 performances, CST attracts 225,000 audience members annually. One in four of its audience members is under eighteen years old, and today its education programs have impacted the learning of over one million students. CST is proud to take an active role in empowering the next generation of literate, engaged cultural champions and creative minds.