Sense & Insensibility
Distraught at the lack of any stimuli, an old man’s five senses are concerned that he’s dying, which means the end for them as well. As a final tribute, Sight, Hearing, Touch, Smell and Taste reminisce about poignant moments they remember from the man’s life. They are joined by Intuition, who senses that the man is not necessarily dying of old age and suggests that they all recount the last stimulus they remember in the hopes that they can figure out what happened. As they put it all together, they realize what has occurred and try to help him…and themselves. An excellent play for contests with its lean structure, minimalist staging, and challenging roles of playing senses, which like theatre itself, must work together for a living whole. Finalist in the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival One-Act Play Contest and the 12th annual Chameleon Theatre Circle's One-Act play contest.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
Playwright Dan Borengasser Talks About
“Sense & Insensibility"
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?
I’m never sure how to answer this question. To say that it’s the work of my homunculus, the little man in my brain, would make me sound peculiar and borderline schizophrenic. So let’s just go with, “I don’t know.”
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY?
My favorite line is when Intuition says to Sight, “Well, there’s sight, and there’s insight. And you’ve only got the first one, pal.” I like the idea that sight, generally considered our dominant sense, may sometimes be overrated.
WHERE DID THE CHARACTERS COME FROM?
I don’t know where the characters come from – perhaps the Midwest. Official disclaimer: Any resemblance to real people, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?
I wanted it to be abstract, quirky, humorous, yet with real emotion.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?
I always try to be courteous to strangers, I never litter, and I think “Ishtar” is one of the funniest movies of its time.