Jesuit Drama is getting ready to take us back to the 1790’s from April 24-27th in their upcoming production of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. This story follows the three Dashwood sisters through the ups and downs— laughter and tears— of being a young woman in British society. The girls must navigate gossipy mothers, insincere suitors, and the complexity of love.
Senior Alise Fingal, playing Anne Steele, described the show as “goofy, sweet, and heartwarming,” and it’s a fun watch for all ages.
Drama Department heads Brandon McCoy and Amberly Orr chose the play for its light comedy that would close the ‘24-‘25 theatre season on a sweet note.
Additionally, Orr added, “it features two women that are both really strong roles, and we have a lot of really strong female actors in our department. It’s nice to end the year featuring so many.”
In order to be ready in April, the cast has to execute a super quick turnaround from the winter musical, Hadestown.
“We actually auditioned for Sense and Sensibility during the rehearsal process of Hadestown, so that we could start rehearsals immediately after Hadestown ended,” said senior Madeline Ward, playing Mrs. Dashwood.
Orr, solo-directing her second show at Jesuit this year, has led her team through that transition.
”It feels like we just closed Hadestown,” Orr said. “It’s been really fast. I cast primarily upperclassmen—and they understand what needs to be done in order for the show to happen. That’s been really helpful.”
Orr had a lot of fun working with middle schoolers at her previous job, but appreciates the creative agency and maturity of an older cast.
“I can talk to high schoolers on an equal playing field. I view it more as a collaboration, and that’s been really fulfilling,” Orr said.
Seniors Lizzy Dellit and Angel Dauvin are taking on the complexity of sisterhood as they play the eldest Dashwood sisters. While the two navigate romantic relationships, the real love story is the story of their friendship that strengthens despite differences, and stands strong despite life's turbulence.
“Elinor, she’s older. She’s the sensibility,” Dellit said about her character. Elinor sees how her sister Marianne is very expressive of her emotions and free, while she feels she must put responsibility and duty to the family over her heart. “I think she adores Marianne because Marianne is so free and loving.”
Dauvin described her character, Marianne, as “passionate, energetic, and someone who shares all of her feelings aloud.” As someone who wears her heart on her sleeve, Marianne struggles to relate to Elinor, who keeps her emotions tucked away.
“Eventually I begin to understand her throughout the show, and that she does have strong feelings,” Dauvin said.
Although Sense and Sensibility is set a couple hundred years back, Orr assured that the themes stand the test of time.
“People are constantly allowing people’s perceptions to affect their decisions, rather than following their heart or their own moral conscience,” Orr said. With themes of wildfire gossip, she also predicts the show will leave the audience reflecting on how they talk about and treat others.
Overall, Orr and the cast believes the show is really beautiful and wholesome, and will leave the audience laughing.
“I hope that everyone who watches the show feels connected to the story of being true to oneself and one’s feelings,” Fingal said.
“It’s an uplifting message about love that leaves people feeling warm and happy on the inside. It’s a beautiful story about the importance of family in times of change, and the perusal of the heart despite many obstacles,” Ward added.
