from Heidi Kettenring (Sense & Sensibility, Elinor Dashwood)

People often ask me, “What is your favorite show you have ever done?”   This to me is like asking the question “what is your favorite food”, or “what is your favorite book”.  They are all so vastly different and all have their positives and negatives.   I mean, sure I love doughnuts and Stephen King, but I can’t QUITE call them my favorite.  What if I am in the mood for a burger or Pat Conroy?  My answer is usually a “best of” list.

I love Jane Austen.   I love her books.  I love the films that have been made of her books.  I have spent many an evening on my couch with a lovely BBC Masterpiece Classics Austen Miniseries to keep me company.   How could this production compete?

Well, I can safely say that this production of Sense and Sensibility has quickly made it into the “best of” list.  High up on it.   My hopes were very high, and I must say that I had fears that nothing could live up to my expectations.  I hoped for magic.  And I got it.  In every way.

I knew in advance that there were at least a few actors whom I greatly admire and love working with who were attached to the project.  This is always a comfort.  Add to that a room full of actors, designers, crew, and staff whom I can now add to that list.   Magic.

Jon Jory is a wonder to me.   He is smart, quick, funny, kind, and puts forth an ease that made me feel safe from the word go.  This rehearsal process was every shade of color.  We worked hard, we talked intimately, we laughed out loud, we cried, we struggled, we overcame.  I wanted to make Jon proud of me. I wanted to make ME proud of me.  Magic.

I am smiling even as I write this.  I look forward to going to work everyday to see these wonderful people I work with and to do this show I am so very proud of.

Elinor Dashwood is an amazing woman.  I love stepping into her skin every night.   I love her passion.  I love how hard she works to keep that passion controlled by her–sense.  I see a lot of myself in her.  What a blessing to get to be her for at least a few hours a night.

I feel I may be gushing here.  Well, I am.  I know that this is a short lived moment in time, as all shows are, and I am trying to live in the moment as much as I can.  What a joy to come to Northlight every day.   And what a joy to come here to do THIS magical show.  Magic.