'Sense and Sensibility' opens tonight at Lake City High

COEUR d'ALENE — "Two British girls trying to find love and struggling."

This is how sophomore Ruby Klein sums up the story at the heart of the play "Sense and Sensibility," which opens at 7 tonight at Lake City High School.

Based on the Jane Austen novel and set in England in the late 1700s, "Sense and Sensibility" follows the lives of sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood as they navigate love, heartache and the expectations of Georgian society. Elinor, played by senior Kira Taft, embodies sense as one who is practical and restrained. The passionate and impulsive Marianne, portrayed by senior Jonnie Vedder, is a representation of sensibility. Their contrasting approaches to life and love highlight the balance between emotion and reason.

Ruby plays the youngest Dashwood sister, Margaret.

“I read through the whole play looking for a character,” she said Monday during rehearsal. “I’m excited. I think I fit well for the character and it’s pretty great.”

With a cast of 16, the Troupe de Wolfe players will transport audiences into a time that offers a cheeky glimpse into the lives of the 18th century middle class.

“I think they’re going to enjoy the humor and just the situation for this time period," Ruby said.

Something she said she found interesting about this era is how lovers would keep locks of each other's hair.

"That’s something I’ve noticed," she said. "I find it creepy."

Senior Elijah Thomas will perform in the role of Col. Brandon, a love interest of Marianne. This character was portrayed by late actor Alan Rickman in the 1995 motion picture.

Elijah said he didn't know much about the story of "Sense and Sensibility" until he joined the cast.

“I really like this show,” he said. “After we first read it at the table read, I was like, ‘Wow, this show is really high energy, and it has this feel to it that has a lot of joy and whimsy.’” 

He said he thinks audiences will enjoy the main storylines, especially between sisters Elinor and Maryanne.

Senior Rian Bennett, who is running publicity for the show and is on the hair and makeup team, said attendees will really enjoy the relationships between all the characters.

"They’re really going to enjoy the Gossips; the Gossips are so funny," she said. "They’re in a lot of scenes.”

Troupe de Wolfe's "Sense and Sensibility" by Kate Hamill and directed by Daniel J. Bell will be on stage at 7 tonight, Friday and Saturday; 7 p.m. Oct. 23-24; and 2 p.m. Oct. 25. General admission is $8, seniors and students $6 and staff and students with ASB cards $5.

Lake City High School is at 6101 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d'Alene.

Online tickets: cdaschools.org

    Marianne Dashwood (senior Jonnie Vedder) tries to help Edward Ferrars (senior Jack Rogers) recite Shakespeare with passion Monday as they rehearse a scene from "Sense and Sensibility" at Lake City High School.
  

    Sir John introduces the Dashwoods to his friend Col. Brandon in this scene from "Sense and Sensibility," which opens tonight at Lake City High. From left: Ruby Klein, Chloe Latimer, Jonnie Vedder, Kira Taft, Elijah Thomas and Logan Howes.
  

    Lake City junior Sydney Pittman curls senior Elijah Thomas' hair backstage in preparation for play rehearsal Monday.