The STARS drama group is bringing the romantic period play “Sense and Sensibility” to life at the Canton Theatre this weekend. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The cast will also be at an open house at the Canton Theatre tonight as part of the First Friday event from 5 to 8 p.m., serving tea to those who drop by. The STARS drama group was founded by director Tisha Gotte of Canton. It began as a small group of home-schooled children and families. Over time, the group has grown to include both home-schooled and non-home-schooled students, along with young adults and the moms of fellow performers. The group has performed many plays and musicals over the years and decided to tackle “Sense and Sensibility” because of their love for the story as well as the challenging roles it brought to the cast.

Sense and Sensibility is a play about family, hardships, heartbreaks and true love. When Mr. Dashwood dies, his estate is left to the son from his first marriage, leaving his second wife and three daughters in a challenging circumstance. Thanks to their lack of fortune, the marrying of sisters Elinor and Marianne proves to be difficult. The practical sister Elinor forms an attachment with a wealthy Edward Ferras but his family disapproval keeps them separated. A distant and very lively cousin Mrs. Jennings comes to the Dashwood’s rescue by offering a place for them to live, as well as her hand in matching Marianne with a worthy (and rich) beau. Marianne’s idea of romance is instead captured by a fiery and dashing John Willoughby. Both sisters are stricken by heartbreak, but a happy ending finds its way to both of them, one with all sense and the other with sensibility.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children 10 and younger.