After initially being postponed, the MTHS Drama Department is set to perform “The Importance of Being Earnest” this Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. on both days.
This is the second drama production of the year and covers one of the best English comedies, written by Oscar Wilde.
The play was originally scheduled to be in November, but was postponed due to a setback.
“We seldom postpone a play,” Jeannie Brzovic, Drama department director, said.
Even with the postponement, the MTHS Drama still only had its typical 9 weeks to prepare for this play, due to performing Romeo and Juliet at the start of the year.
“The Importance of Being Earnest” is a lighthearted and witty social satire. It was chosen because of the unique theatre genre it occupies.
“I want to be able to offer students (and the community) the opportunity to experience comedy from more than a century ago,” Brzovic said.
The main character of this production is Jack Worthing, who has an alter ego he calls “Ernest.” Along with Jack, there is also another character named Algernon, who also has an alter ego. This creates interesting double lives that they will both have to manage.
Then to make the story even more intriguing, Algernon is impersonating Ernest to get closer with his ward, Cecily. And all the while Algernon’s cousin Gwendolen, played by Senior Cassie Stires, has fallen in love with Jack but thinks that he is Ernest.
This may sound confusing but all the problems created are solved in the end in an unexpected way, that shows Jack and Algernon the importance of being earnest.
With the setback for the play, there came a change in the lead role of Jack; he is now being played by senior Matthew Synthandone.
“It feels like I’ve stepped in for the other lead. Its kind of stressful to be able to memorize 218 lines in less than three weeks, but I’m used to it,” Synthandone said.
The change brings some differences to the play, but everyone has gone along well with it.
“[Synthadone is] a great performer and he’s really fit the mold. I’ve seen him walking home rehearsing lines,” Stires said.
“The Importance of Being Earnest” is sure to be an interesting play. While not composed of outright humor, it instead has great wit and satire to it, along with the style of a different era.
The price of admission is just $5.
