SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

Dates: June 21 – July 1

Style:
Period Comedy
Run Time:
2 Hours and 30 Minutes (Including One Intermission)
Ages: 12 and up

(There is no official rating system for live theatre. We invite you to use your own judgment.)

Read the Playbill

For the 2023 Season, the First Wednesday Matinee performance will be moved to the First Thursday Matinee.

By Kate Hamill
based on the novel by Jane Austen

Show Summary

When reputation is everything, how do you follow your heart?

Kate Hamill’s audacious stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel is a faithful, yet high energy take on this classic. The story is set in the deliciously gossipy late 18th-century England and follows the fortunes and misfortunes of the Dashwood sisters after their father’s sudden death leaves them financially destitute and socially vulnerable. Societal pressures provoke both reasonable and ridiculous reactions to the life long pursuit of love.

Sense and Sensibility is a whirlwind of humor, with emotional depth, and bold theatricality – presented by a fresh female voice. A gem of a show for more than just the fanatical Janeites!

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

The world premiere of SENSE AND SENSIBILITY was produced by Bedlam (Eric Tucker, Artistic Director; Andrus Nichols, Producing Director)

Charlotte Bydwell
'Margaret Dashwood/Lady Grey/Mrs. Ferrars/Gossip'

Charlotte is thrilled to be back at Cape Playhouse after appearing in Private Lives and Murder on the Orient Express last season! She has performed and choreographed at leading theaters around the world, as well as in recognized film/TV productions. Select theater credits include: The Michaels (Public Theater), HELP (The Shed), A Month in the Country (Williamstown), Much Ado About Nothing (The Old Globe), and Venus in Fur (Virginia Stage Company). Favorite choreography projects include: National Tour of A Charlie Brown Christmas, Alternatino on Comedy Central, La Traviata at the Houston Grand Opera(Revival Choreographer) and multiple productions with Jessica Holt. Charlotte’s one-woman show, Woman of Leisure and Panic, has been presented across the United States and Mexico. Her solo film, “The Nude Model”, premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe before screening at a variety of festivals focused on boundary pushing cinema. Training: Juilliard BFA in Dance, The Old Globe/USD MFA in Acting. www.charlottebydwell.com

Jenn Gambatese
'Elinor Dashwood'

Jenn most recently
originated the role of Miranda Hillard in Mrs. Doubtfire on
Broadway. Prior to that she played Principal Rosalie Mullins in
School of Rock and also originated the roles of Jane in Disney’s
Tarzan, Natalie in All Shook Up (Outer Critics Circle
nomination), and Marie in Is He Dead?. Other Broadway:
Hairspray, A Year with Frog and Toad, and Footloose. She
traveled across America by bubble as Glinda in Wicked, and captured hearts
in Chicago as both Maria in The Sound of Music, and Carrie Pipperidge in
Carousel for The Lyric Opera. Regional and Off-Broadway work includes an award
winning turn as Annie Oakley for Goodspeed Musicals, shows for City Center’s
Encores!, and The School for Lies with Classic Stage Company. Jenn has performed
with world class orchestras and in intimate cabarets, as well as guest starred on
television. More details and fun stuff over at www.jenngambatese.com!

Katie Hartke
'Mrs. Dashwood/Anne Steele/Gossip'

New
York: Winter’s Tale (Bedlam); Olivia (Twelfth Night), Lady
Capulet/Lady Macbeth (Youth & Ambition), and Leena
Breitwisch (Breitwisch Farm, world premiere), Esperance
Theater Company, where Katie is also a co-founder; Othello
(Epic Theatre Ensemble); Wonder of the World (Core
Theatre Comp.); Life Is A Dream (Flux Theatre Ensemble).
Regional: Bedlam’s Sense & Sensibility (A.R.T.); 10 seasons with the Hudson Valley
Shakespeare Festival, where favorite roles include Viola (Twelfth Night), Imogen (Cymbeline), Lucrece (The Liar), Rosaline (Love’s Labours Lost), and Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream); Sense & Sensibility (Virginia Stage); Blithe
Spirit
(Arts Center of Coastal Carolina); Cul-de-sac (Half Moon); Love/ Sick (Arc
Stages); Love/Sick, Clybourne Park (Shadowland); A Christmas Carol (Portland
Stage); Maggie in Cat on A Hot Tin Roof (Middlebury Actors Workshop). TV/
Film: “Succession”, “FBI: Most Wanted”, “The Blacklist”, “Boardwalk Empire”, “Law
& Order: SVU”, “Bedlam: The Series”, “Lost Nation”, “I’ll Be Right There”, “Guiding
Light”, “College Humor”, “The Circuit”. Training: Catholic University, Circle In the
Square Theatre School. Proud member of Actors’ Equity and SAG- AFTRA. For
my loves, Ryan and Zoë.

Drew Hirshfield
'Colonel Brandon/Lady Middleton/Cat/Maid/Thomas/Gossip'

Drew is so happy to make his
Cape Playhouse debut. In addition to Kate Hamill’s Sense
and Sensibility
, he is lucky enough to have worked on plays
by Bertolt Brecht, Francis Beaumont, Sandy Rustin, Arthur
Miller, Robert Askins, Jordan Seavey, Lucas Knath, Anton
Chekhov, Steve Martin, Peter Shaffer, Lanford Wilson, Sam
Shepard, Oliver Goldsmith, Tom Stoppard, Nick Starr, Neil Simon, Steven Sater,
Shakespeare, and many others, at theaters and rehearsal rooms large and small
across the county. He earned an MFA from American Conservatory Theater. He’s
long served on the acting faculty at New York Film Academy. Thanks to A+S,
WTG+LG.

Erik Kochenberger
'John Wiloughby/John Dashwood/Lady Middleton/Gossip'

ERIK KOCHENBERGER (John Willoughby/John Dashwood/
Lady Middleton/Gossip) was trained at NYU’s Tisch School
for the Performing Arts. Credits include: The Great Gatsby
(Ivoryton Theater), In This Place (Theatre Row), Macbeth
(DCPA), Other Desert Cities (HPAC), The Dudleys: A Family
Gameshow
(HERE Arts Center). Film/ Television credits
include “FBI: Most Wanted” (CBS), “Rosie” (Writing and Directorial
Debut), “Three Pregnant Men” (3PM Productions), and “Against the Night” (Ball
Four Productions).

Manna Nichols
'Marianne Dashwood'

Manna is
thrilled to reunite with so many friends (our last go at this
show was Feb 2020!)! She has performed on Broadway in
Allegiance and the First National Tour of Lincoln Center’s
The King & I (Tuptim). NYC/Off-Broadway: Encores! Dear
World, Tokio Confidential, Death for Five Voices
. Regional:
Arena Stage, The Guthrie, 5th Avenue, Goodspeed Opera
House, Kansas City Starlight, Walnut Street Theatre, Fulton, Pioneer Theatre,
Arizona Theatre Company, Virginia Stage, Cape Playhouse, Maine State, Theatre
Raleigh, North Carolina Theatre, and Geva. Favorite roles include Natasha
in Great Comet
and Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. She has performed in
concert with the Santa Rosa Symphony, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and USO Show
Troupe. Her film credits include Cold Pursuit starring Liam Neeson (Minya), and
11
Disney’s Live Action Beauty and the Beast (background vocals). She also teaches
via zoom. Love to Lawrence, my Austonian pandemic romance turned Husband!

@Manna_Nichols_Wong

Noah Plomgren
'Edward Ferrars/Robert Ferrars/Lady Middleton/Gossip'

Cape Playhouse debut! Most
recently, Noah played Jason in Lynn Nottage’s SWEAT at The
Guthrie. National tours: Finding Neverland (Lord Cannan),
HAIR (Claude). Regional: Romeo & Juliet (Redhouse Arts), All
is Calm
(Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Cabaret (Ogunquit
Playhouse), From Here to Eternity and Treasure Island (The
Rev), Guys and Dolls (Goodspeed), Noises Off (Pittsburgh Public), The Circus in
Winter
(Goodspeed), Lend Me A Tenor (Bay Street Theater), Tigers Be Still (City
Theater Company), Titanic (Westchester Broadway Theater), Next to Normal
(Hangar Theater). Television: “Law & Order: Organized Crime”. Education: C
arnegie Mellon University. @plomegranate

Nandita Shenoy
'Fanny (Ferrars) Dashwood/Lucy Steele/Gossip'

Nandita is an actor-writer living in New York City. She
is thrilled to return to S&S as it was the last play she did
before the pandemic. Nandita has starred in the Off-Broadway production of her own play Washer/Dryer at Ma-Yi
Theater Company and has originated roles in World Premiers
of plays by Adam Szymkowicz, Madhuri Shekar, Chelsea
Marcantel, Angela Hanks, Eric Pfeffinger, and Richard Dresser. She spent a
season in the Repertory Company at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
Television credits include “Daredevil”, “The Last O.G.”, “Dickinson”, and “Evil”. As a
playwright, her work has been performed in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago,
and Flint as well as in Shanghai. Her Rage Play was named to the 2020 Kilroys
List. She is a proud member of the Ma-Yi Writers Lab, DTFWAW, the Dramatists
Guild, Actors Equity, and SAG/AFTRA. As a member of the Asian American
Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC), she received a 2022 Tony Honor for
Excellence in the Theater. Nandita holds a BA in English literature from
Yale University. www.nanditashenoy.com

Britte Steele
'Mrs. Jennings/Nurse/Gossip'

Britte is
honored to be making her Cape Playhouse debut with this
wondrous cast, crew and team. She has enjoyed performing
in New York City, on national tours, on the high seas, and
at many outstanding theaters around the USA -this one now
included. Thanks to everyone who makes this show possible
each day, both on and offstage. As always, for sweet Will.
Life with you just makes sense! Lastly, thank YOU for supporting live theater!
www.brittesteele.net
@livelaughbritt

Christopher Tramantana
'Sir John Middleton/Fanny/Servant/Doctor/Horse/Gossip'

Christopher returns to
the Cape Playhouse stage after playing Michel and Marcel
in last season’s production of Murder on the Orient Express.
Theatre credits include: NYC: Playing House (HERE); Vera
Laughed
(Playwrights Horizons); Brokenbrow (NYTW);
Unblinking Eye(Justin Taylor); R&J&Z (Hard Sparks);
Buddhas are Screaming In China (Planet Connections); A People (TerraNOVA);
Homeward Bound (Greenlight Productions); Regional: Back of the Throat, Bravo,
Caruso!
(Next Act Theater, Milwaukee); Three Sisters, The Life of Galileo, Major
Barbara, King Lear, A Flea in Her Ear, All My Sons, As You Like It, Guys and
Dolls
, and A Christmas Carol (Clarence Brown Theater). Film: Paradise City,
Naked Singularity
. TV: “Ramy”, “God Friended Me”, “Manifest”, “Future Man”,
“Delocated”, and “Sweetbitter”. Christopher teaches Clown and Physical Comedy
in New York and around the country. He is currently on faculty at NYU’s Tisch
School of the Arts. He is the recipient of the 2020 Artists Patron Fund. BA,
Fordham, College at Lincoln Center. MFA, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
www.christophertramantana.com

Kate Hamill
'Playwright'

Kate Hamill is an actor/playwright. Wall Street Journal’s Playwright of the Year, 2017. Her work includes her play SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (in which she originated the role of Marianne)—Winner, Off-Broadway Alliance Award 2016; Nominee, Drama League Award; 265+ performances off-Broadway. Other plays include VANITY FAIR at the Pearl Theatre (in which she originated the role of Becky Sharp; Nominee, Off-Broadway Alliance Award 2017), PRIDE AND PREJUDICE at Primary Stages and Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (originated the role of Lizzy Bennet; Nominee, Off-Broadway Alliance Award). Her plays have been produced off-Broadway, at A.R.T., Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Guthrie, Seattle Rep, Dallas Theater Center, PlayMaker’s Rep, Folger Theatre (8 Helen Hayes Award nominations; Winner, best production—S&S), Arvada Center and others; upcoming productions at Shakespeare Theatre of DC, A.C.T., Trinity Rep, Portland Center Stage, Syracuse Stage, Pittsburgh Public, Kansas City Rep, Dorset Theatre Festival and more. Upcoming world premieres: LITTLE WOMEN at the Jungle Theater and Primary Stages; MANSFIELD PARK at Northlight Theatre. She is currently working on new adaptations of “The Odyssey” and “The Scarlet Letter,” as well as several new original plays (PROSTITUTE PLAY, IN THE MINES, LOVE POEM). Kate was one of the top 20 most-produced playwrights in the country this season. www.kate-hamill.com

Jessica Holt
'Director'

Jessica Holt (she/her) Jessica is thrilled to make her
Cape Playhouse debut directing Kate Hamill’s brilliant adaptation of Sense &
Sensibility
. Recent projects include The Great Leap (Oklahoma City Repertory
Theater), Fun Home (River & Rail Theatre), Ironbound, The Code by The
Kilbanes
(American Conservatory Theatre), Uncovering Downtown by Jessica Holt
& Mona Mansour (En Garde Arts), The Thanksgiving Play, Sense and Sensibility,
Fun Home, Venus in Fur
(Virginia Stage Company), The Resting Place, Bright
Half Life, The Lily’s Revenge
(Magic Theatre), Speech and Debate (Barrington
Stage Company), Rich Girl (Florida Studio Theatre), The Daughters (San
Francisco Playhouse), and Ugly Lies the Bone (Alliance Theater). She has
developed and directed new work at Cape Cod Theatre Project, Ensemble Studio
Theatre, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Berkeley Rep, Rivendell Theatre, Bay Area
Playwrights Festival, Sewanee Writers Conference, among others. 2017 National
Directors Fellowship, 2016 Yale Directing Fellowship at the Alliance Theatre. MFA
in Directing, Yale School of Drama. Proud member: SDC. www.jessicaholt.org

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Alexander Woodward
'Scenic Designer'

Alexander Woodward is a New
York based multi-hyphenate, designer, organizer, and fine artist focused in scenic
and costume design for live performance in theatre, opera, and dance with
numerous credits across the country, including the world and Broadway premier of
The Sound Inside, as well as the world premier ballet: Their Eyes Were Watching
God
. They are thrilled to be making their Cape Playhouse debut! In addition to
their design work, Alexander is a co-founder of “In The Wings a Design/Tech
Showcase” for young artists at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and serves as
the Area Head of the Design and Technology BFA & MFA program at the
University of Connecticut. As a designer and educator Alexander is an avid
proponent for advancing arts advocacy, exploring all aspects of our medium as
a form for social change & a tool to shape the environment around us. In recent
years Alexander has served on the executive board for Wingspace, a non profit organization that promotes conversation on design, our community, and furthers activism within the industry. MFA Yale School of Drama, proud member of
United Scenic Artists Local 829. Instagram @alexanderwoodwarddesign
and at alexanderwoodward.com .

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Jennifer Paar
'Costume Designer'

Jennifer has been working in New York and
regionally as a costume designer for over 20 years. She is thrilled to be back at
The Cape Playhouse after designing The Fantasticks last summer. In New York,
she has worked extensively with the Obie-Award winning Keen Company, having
designed sixteen shows with them including: Year of Magical Thinking, Ordinary
Days, Tick, Tick…Boom, and Alphabetical Order
. Other New York credits include
Othello (New Place Players), Transatlantica (Operating Theater), Futurity, The
Musical
(Joe’s Pub), Every Day Above Ground with SaBooge Theatre (PS 122)
and Thrill Me (York Theatre). Regional credits include On Golden Pond (Bucks
County Playhouse), Glengarry Glen Ross (Asolo Rep), The Tempest, Elizabeth
Rex, Much Ado about Nothing
(Opera House Arts), and Rabbit Hole (Premiere
Stages). Jennifer regularly teaches and designs at Actors Studio Drama School
and Ramapo College in NJ. She is also the Co-Founder of The Costume Studio,
a non-profit organization that provides space and supplies for costume designers
working on non-profit productions in NYC. For more information visit jenniferpaar.com
or thecostumestudionyc.org
.

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Kirk Bookman
'Lighting Designer'

Kirk has designed the lighting for countless
New York City and regional productions over the past four decades. His favorite
lighting design credits include: Lincoln Center’s 2011 production of Company
directed by Lonny Price and starring Neil Patrick Harris, Stephen Colbert and
Patti LuPone. For the incomparable Charles Busch: Shanghai Moon, The Divine
Sister, The Tribute Artist, Die Mommy Die, The Green Heart
and the 2020 hit
production of The Confession of Lily Dare directed by Carl Andress. Broadway
credits include The Gin Game with Julie Harris and Charles Durning, and The
Sunshine Boys
with Jack Klugman and Tony Randall. Internationally he has
designed the lighting for the Hungarian National, English National Ballet and the
Santiago Ballet Company all with Ivan Nagy

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Jacob Levitin
Sound Designer

Jacob has been living and breathing sound
and music for as long as he can remember. Selected credits include Islander,
Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, and Dog Man, the Musical
(off Broadway), Buddy
Holly Story
(National tour), and multiple Broadway and touring shows as a music
technology specialist with Midiomatic LLC and KeyboardTEK. Jake’s very excited
to be back at Cape Playhouse! Some of his original music and visual work can be
found on Instagram @electricdaisy_studio

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Bobbie Zlotnik
'Wig Design'

Off-Broadway; Emojiland (Drama Desk
Nom.), Fairycakes, Mornings At Seven, The Book of Merman, Drop Dead Perfect,
Disenchanted, Forbidden Broadway, Bed Bugs!!!
, and many more. National Tours;
On Your Feet, Emojiland, Cocomelon LIVE. PCPA; Pride and Prejudice, Hairspray,
The Two Gentlemen of Verona, My Fairytale, Caroline or Change
. The Lex; The
Little Mermaid, Newsies, Music Man
. Gulfshore Playhouse: Barefoot In The Park,
Steel Magnolias, The 39 Steps
. Park Playhouse; Matilda, Ain’t Misbehavin’.
Penguin Rep: The Virtuous Life of Joseph Andrews, Souvenir. Syracuse Stage:
Tender Rain, Our Town. Tuacahn: Wonderland. Bucks County Playhouse; Evita.
PCLO; Godspell. Hangar Theatre; Kinky Boots. Theatre By The Sea; Love And
Other Fables
. Film/TV; “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, “The Gilded Age”, “A Holiday
Spectacular”,” Halston”, “Getting Curious With Jonathan Van Ness”.

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Jane Fujita
Dialect Coach

Jane is a Voice and Dialect specialist based in New
York City. She has coached productions on Broadway, Lincoln Center, Playwrights
Horizons, The Public Theater, Page 73 and regionally at the American Repertory
Theater, Williamstown Theater Festival, and Yale Repertory Theater. Jane recently
coached TV and Film productions: Ant Man and the Wasp, “Loki” Season 2
(Marvel/Disney+), “A Small Light” (Disney+), and “Cat Person” (StudioCanal).
She is an Associate Professor at New York University’s Graduate Acting Program.

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RACHEL KAPLOW
'Production Stage Manager'

Broadway: Good Night, Oscar, Birthday Candles, Caroline, or Change. Off-Broadway:
The Courtroom (Waterwell), The Importance of Being Earnest (NY Classical),
Lewiston/Clarkston (Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre), Fairview (SoHo Rep.). NYC:
Red Velvet, The Seagull (NYU Grad Acting); Paradise: Lost and Found (Isle of
Shoals). Regional: Anna in the Tropics (Bay Street), American Jade (Bucks County
Playhouse); Tale of Despereaux (The Old Globe), She also spent two seasons at
Hartford Stage and has spent several summers at Berkshire Theatre Group.
Education: B.F.A. University of Michigan.

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Murnane Casting
Casting Director

Murnane Casting is a boutique casting office in New
York City, led by founder Chad Eric Murnane. We specialize in casting theatre,
film, and television projects nationwide, with a focus on developing new works
with emerging creators. Our mission is to curate exceptional ensembles of artists,
champion underrepresented and untapped talent, and facilitate a collaborative
and relaxed casting experience. At Murnane Casting, our clients enjoy ongoing
support from a team invested in the success of their projects. We believe that every
project deserves the best, and we are here to make sure you get it. Learn more at www.murnanecasting.com.

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