Photo Flash: In Rehearsal with Playhouse on Park's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
By: BWW News Desk Apr. 13, 2015
Victorian London awaits at Playhouse on Park! Under the direction of Jerry Winters, a dynamic eight-member cast presents Oscar Wilde's beloved comedy The Importance of Being Earnest. Audience members will be enchanted and romanced from start to finish with mystique, folly and playful deception. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal!Appearing to all as a responsible upstanding gentleman, Earnest's protagonist, Jack Worthing, leads a double life where his passions are played out in London, far from his home in the countryside. Joining with his best friend Algernon Moncrieff, the pair set out to win the hearts of the women who have stolen their hearts. Nothing, of course, goes as planned; with each act it becomes apparent to all, including amused observers, that "the truth is rarely pure and never simple."Featured in this production are: Michael Raver * (Lincoln Center/Aquila Theatre Company: ROMEO & JULIET, JULIUS CAESAR; Orlando Shakespeare: Romeo, ROMEO & JULIET; The Pearl: Constantine, THE SEAGULL; The Writer; National Actor's Theatre: Queen's Attendant, THE PERSIANS) as Jack and Katrina Ferguson* (Dorset Theatre Festival, Eleanor of Acquitane; Best Actress, THE LION IN WINTER; Ivoryton Playhouse: Mrs. Banks, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK) as Lady Bracknell. James Parenti (Playhouse on Park: Prior, ANGELS IN AMERICA; Dare Lab: Hamlet MAY VIOLETS SPRING; Hip to Hip: Navarre, LOVE'S LABOUR LOST) returns to the Playhouse stage as Algernon.
Connecticut native Harrison Greene (Playhouse on Park: Whit, OF MICE AND MEN; Phaeton, METAMORPHESES) as Lane/Merriman. Donna Schilke (Playhouse on Park: Julia, LEND ME A TENOR; Winnipesaukee Playhouse: Kate, SYLVIA; Dotty/Mrs. Clackett, NOISES OFF) as Miss Prism.
Making their Playhouse debut are Jane Bradley (The Drilling Company (NYC): Emilia, OTHELLO- 'Shakespeare in the Parking Lot'; Quince, MOTOR OIL); as Gwendolen, and Laura Hankin (NYC Theater: Wanda, WANDA'S MONSTER; Acolyte, KAREN O'S STOP THE VIRGINS) as Cecily, and David M. Farrington (New York: Uncle Peck, HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE; George, NEGATIVE IS POSITIVE; Russell, BAPTIZED) as Chasuble.
Director Jerry Winters made his directing debut at Playhouse on Park last winter with Ken Ludwig's LEND ME A TENOR.
The Importance of Being Earnest runs April 15-May 3. Tickets are now on sale, ranging from $15-$35, and can be purchased in person, over the phone, or online. A special senior matinee is planned for April 28 at 2pm with all seats priced at $22.50. Call the box office at 860-523-5900 x10 or visit www.playhouseonpark.org. Playhouse on Park is located at 244 Park Road, West Hartford, CT 06119.
James Parenti as Algernon and Laura Hankin as Cecily
James Parenti as Algernon and Laura Hankin as Cecily
Laura Hankin as Cecily and Jane Bradley as Gwendolen