Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility Brings Comedy and Romance to Stage with LATTE Theater

Bursting with humor, emotion, and energy, LATTE's production of "SENSE AND SENSIBILITY" is a whirlwind of fun and mayhem. Enjoy this laugh-out-loud romp through Georgian England, where the Dashwood sisters – composed Elinor and passionate Marianne – grapple with gossipmongers, romantic entanglement, and social absurdities. It captures the essence of Austen's masterpiece while injecting it with a fresh energy that is fast-paced, bursting with humor and heart.

There is rapid-fire dialogue, inventive staging, and the actors who transform into carriages, pets, (and even the weather). It delivers a sparkling portrayal of sisterhood, love, and finding your place in the world. Adapted by Kate Hamill. Directed by Felicia Pfluger. The cast shares in a behind the scenes’ interview.

What sort of person will love this show?

Kathryn Lazich (Miss Jennings) who plays the boisterous Miss Jennings, shares, "It is like riding a roller coaster!” “Completely! And anyone who likes gossip will love to laugh!” agrees Tomas Kowalchuk (Willoughby), jumps in as Parker Larson (Lucy) laughs, “I think that the people who will love this show the best are the people who are into drama/gossip, and the people who are very into romance.”

“If you are a hopeless romantic, you will LOVE it. It has honestly everything: the romance, the comedy, the drama, the fights, the anguish, EVERYTHING! If you enjoy British people being involved in intense drama, you will have fun,” Cassidy (Marianne) reflects, "There is so much funny banter and the dialogue is so brilliantly written.” Nathan Bell (Edward) shares. Jamie Velez (Colonel Brandon) adds, “People who live on dramas and rom-coms especially will love this!”

What’s it like being in the show?

“It’s a definite dream come true. It is so much fun to dive into a new time period and immerse yourself in their way of living,” Cassidy shares. Nathan adds, “Almost all of the characters in the story are multilayered with a myriad of emotions and expressions that they bring to the surface!” Jamie offers, “Sense and Sensibility highlights love and how sisterhood and family can support one another through the toughest of times.”

Kathryn adds. "Oh, this show is a ride! It’s not a typical period drama where everything is very prim and proper. Things and people can definitely get out of hand at times. What makes this show so different to perform is how dynamic and ensemble-driven it is. Everyone is constantly swapping roles, moving sets, and quietly listening in while staying in character 24/7.”

What will the audience think?

"They’ll be reflecting about their own families. They might be reminded that love can be messy sometimes, and despite this, love will persevere through all hardship,” Jamie reflects as Isla earnestly adds, “This is the first romantic show I've performed in. It has taught me about balancing reason and emotion in romantic and platonic relationships… but they will still laugh and all of the characters' unique personalities.”

Nathan interjects, “I am sure audiences will be discussing and laughing about the entire show after they have viewed it! The play ends in a way that is different, I think, from what most people will expect. But it remains very true to the book and all of the elements of the original story are still there. I think audiences will be absolutely thrilled to see what we've done with this show!”

So, What’s it Like, REALLY?

Tomas cackles, “It’s pretty fun playing my role, since I get to be a bit of a cad and villain!” “It is so much fun! I am truly loving every minute of getting to interact with my scene partners as well as the camaraderie we have built together offstage as well as onstage.” Nathan grins.

“As soon as I read for Marianne for the first time, I felt at home. She is so full of life and energy that you can’t help but smile when you read her dialogue. She is also extremely complex though. I am emotional. She goes through such a powerful journey through this show from being lovesick to heartbroken to on her deathbed, so it is definitely a roller coaster portraying her,” Cassidy smiles.

Jodie, (Elinor) confides, "Elinor can be a difficult character to balance. There are a lot of layers to her, and her arc is quite important, so it needs to be handled with care. She's a pretty reserved character, which is very different from who I am as a person, so trying to show that on stage while being animated requires balance.”

Kathryn laughs, “Miss Jennings is a boisterous, gossipy older woman who loves a good story but also seems to care deeply. This role is very much towing the line between sincere concern and a vulture circling the next juicy bit of drama, which makes her both hilariously fun and surprisingly human to portray." “

“I had never played a mean person, nor do I ever gossip,” Jamie laughs, “Most notably, I’ve never been a man before. Despite how out of my comfort zone they were, they were all extremely fulfilling roles.”

“I really find the characters enjoyable,” Isla Baker (Mama Dashwood) adds. Sofian (Margaret) jumps in, “Me too! It gives me the chance to experience different perspectives of the cast. “It’s really fun to play Lady Joan because she is really out there and quite different from me. I also really love playing Lucy because she is such a deep and layered character and finding out how she interacts with others and figuring out her backstory,” Parker grins.

What are you excited about?

“We are having a great time practicing for it with plenty of laughter, and I think that will reflect in the play!” Tomas chuckles. “And I’m absolutely thrilled to be in this production, and I feel as though the audience will get a kick out of the creativity involved with the set pieces. We created the balance between slapstick and realism, it is so much fun,” Jamie beams. Parker agrees, “We have a great cast and the cast chemistry is amazing and we all have worked so hard for this show.”

"Sense and Sensibility is a true masterpiece of literature. And Kate Hamill's seamless adaptation of the story for the stage in a way that merges slapstick comedy with the romantic drama of the novel deserves nothing less than the utmost praise. I am really honored to get to perform in it,” Nathan reflects and Cassidy bubbles, “I am ecstatic for the upcoming production of Sense and Sensibility because we are a strong ensemble who works very well together. As soon as I stepped into the LATTE doors, I was warmly welcomed by the whole community. I’m excited for everyone to see the hard work we have all put into this show, and of course, the beautiful costumes!

What are your hopes for the show?

“My hopes for the show are that the audience will laugh and enjoy the fun parts right along with us, Isla confides. Jamie adds, “That audiences will enjoy the sharp wit and comedy in this show. It has been so enjoyable working with physical comedy in this play, and I know that audiences will get a kick out of each scene, especially when the gossips are lurking around!

What will surprise people about this show?

“The things that might shock people about the show are the many twists and turns that are embedded into the show and also that we are very professional and have a great cast of actors (even though some of us) are kids,” Parker beams. “And the depth of the characters” Tomas

“This play is full of surprises. Some of the characters aren't who you initially think they are, and some of them end up finding catharsis in ways that are different than what you expect. There are a lot of side stories that end up converging with the main story in ways that most people definitely won't see coming.” Nathan finishes.

Plymouth Place Auditorium, Through the Pillars

315 N La Grange Road, La Grange Park

Show Times:

7 PM Thursday, Jul 24th

7 PM Friday, July 25th

2 PM Saturday, July 26th

7 PM Saturday, July 26th

Tickets $5 - $15

708-655-0989, Run time 2:15 plus 10 minute intermission. Unassigned seating.

Cast:

Jodie Velez (Downers Grove/University of Illinois Springfield)

Cassidy Monti (Brookfield/Western Michigan University)

Kathryn Lazich (Burr Ridge/Marquette University)

Nathan Bell (Westchester/College of Du Page)

Tomas Kowolchuk (Downers Grove/College of Du Page)

Jamie Velez (Downers Grove/College of Du Page)

Parker Larson (La Grange Park)

Sofia Larson (Brookfield)

Isla Baker (Downers Grove)