Spring Play -- The Importance of Being Earnest

Whew! What a whirlwind of a winter it has been. After a wonderful, relaxing vacation, we returned to school in January. We had already chosen our play cast, but rehearsals began fulfledged when we returned to school. Brian coached the junior high basketball team, so we were usually practicing at the same time. We were creative with our dinners and ate before or after practice. We also tried to find time to walk at Northgate Mall before we headed home to collapse.

After about 8 weeks of practice our play finally was ready for production. The cast is shown above at dress rehearsal. Everyone was very talented and especially high-spirited.

Here is Lady Bracknell and her daughter Gwendolyn. Jack Worthing is cowering in the corner after being belittled by the confident and commanding Lady Bracknell.

These two were servants in the home of Jack Worthing. Lane the butler stole the show several times. In fact, we had quite a few audience members say they liked Lane the best.

Lady Bracknell played by senior Simone Walker had a fantastic personality and didn't let anyone get by with anything. When Jack reveals to her that he does not know who his parents are because he was found in a bag in the railway station. Lady Bracknell is not about to allow her daughter "to form an alliance with a parcel." Such a funny scene!

David Lemmon played Algernon Moncrieff who is Jack's friend and discovers the Jack has a pretty ward named Cecily Cardew who lives at Jack's home in the country. He devises a plan to go to the country to meet the lovely Miss Cardew against the wishes of his friend Jack aka Ernest.

When Algernon arrives in the country he does indeed meet Cecily and is immediately charmed by her beauty. Cecily thinks that Algernon is her guardian's brother whom Jack always told her was named Ernest.

Miss Prism played by Stephanie Baggett is Cecily's governess and has just recently become acquainted with the rector Dr. Chasuble. When the two return from a walk, they meet Jack who has word that his brother Ernest has just died of a severe chill. As they are consoling Jack, who should appear but Cecily informing Uncle Jack that his brother has arrived for a visit.

When "Ernest" or Algernon comes around the corner "Jack" or "Ernest" is in despair. It appears that both may be in trouble. However little Cecily insists that they both shake hands and get along or she will never forgive them.

Gwendolyn is engaged to Jack "Ernest" and Cecily is engaged to Algernon "Ernest" and the climax occurs in this scene when the girls discover they are both engaged to the same man "Ernest."

A delightful topsy-turvy situation continues to escalate as both men arrive and the girls discover their true identity. For the remainder of the play the audience wonders how everything will be resolved. They are not disappointed as Oscar Wilde's wit keeps everyone spell bound down to the final line of the play, "I now know the vital importance of being earnest." What a rich, vibrant, classic script!

The production was a smashing success! What a relief to see it all come together. This Thursday is the cast party at our house. I'll post pictures of the party.