The Importance Of Being Earnest at Centerpoint Legacy Theatre

My friend, Amy, and I just attended a production of The Importance of Being Earnest, at Centerpoint Legacy Theatre.

Megan Smythe, Alison Jensen, and Jon Rash

I have long been a fan of Oscar Wilde and his work, ever since my aunt gave me a collection of his plays, for Christmas one year. "Earnest" is one of my favorite plays. I have of course seen the movie with Reese Witherspoon, Rupert Everett, Collin Firth, Frances O'Connor, and Judi Dench. I have also seen this play done by Pioneer Theatre Company.

This production was done in the blackbox theatre, meaning there is no elevated stage, and no set proscenium. The front row of the audience was right on the same floor as the performance. It created a very cozy intimacy, and the actors did not need microphones.

The first character to appear onstage was Lane the butler, played by Joseph Nichols. Joseph was able to adopt the posture of a very old man, and his mannerisms were slow and deliberate. Later in the show, he played a completely different butler, named Merriman. This time, he carried himself with the posture and mannerisms of a younger man. I was impressed that he was able to show two completely distinct characters, despite both parts being butlers.

Next onstage was Algernon, played by Justin Lee, who I immediately liked as the devilish rogue. He had this mischievous grin. It was clear that he didn't take life very seriously, and yet life always worked out for him. Todd Wente was very likeable as John Worthing (a.k.a. Jack, a.k.a. Earnest). I enjoyed his frustration with his friend Algie, and he was hilarious as the grieving brother.

My friend, Megan, played the part of Gwendolyn. She was perfect as the ridiculously-romantic Victorian lady! Her reactions on stage, even when she was not speaking were priceless. I particularly enjoyed it when Mr. Worthing was kissing her glove. She sort of got distracted with what she was saying, pausing mid-sentence as she revelled in the sensations. It really played up the "repressed Victorian", and made me remember how much little silly things can turn you on, when you're an unmarried virgin. Megan is a really fantastic actress!

Another thing I liked was the "spat" between Gwendolyn and Cecily. In other productions, I have seen the ladies quietly sipping their tea, while arguing with gritted-teeth smiles at each other. In this one, the director had the two standing and both leaning against the table. The tension between them you could have cut with a knife, and the butler clearly didn't want to come between them. I really liked seeing them lose their cool a bit and forget their manners.

Allyson Sanders was adorable as Cecily. She portrayed an innocence and naivety, and was very charming. I enjoyed Kristi Colaizzi as Miss Prism and her attraction to Dr. Chasuble, played by Ken Hadlock. Ken was a charming priest. Everyone in this cast did a very good job, and were fun to watch. All were completely professional.

The costumes were to die for! All the ladies were in corsets! I do have a couple of complaints about the costumes...the dresses were too big. Megan, Alison, and Allyson all needed their dresses tailored to fit their bodies a little better. I realize that the costumes were probably not hand-made just for them, but couldn't they have used a basting stitch?

Also, the corset pushed the boobs of Cecily up around her chin. Since I don't know her, I don't know if she really has large breasts in real life, but they seemed disproportionate to the rest of her body. It made me wonder if she had stuffed. If not, perhaps her corset needed pulled down just a bit, to allow the bosoms to float in their natural position. Don't get me wrong, they were covered, but they were like two giant pillows underneath her dress, and they seemed unnaturally high.

I haven't yet mentioned Lady Bracknell, who was played by Alison Jensen. I knew Alison 14 years ago, when we were both Theatre majors in college. We had several acting classes together, taught by Frank Gerrish. Alison and I were in Once Upon a Mattress together, at the Off Broadway Theatre. It was fun to see her again after all these years, and she looks exactly the same.

In the production done by Pioneer, the part of Lady Bracknell was played by a man, long-time theatre veteran Max Robinson. It was a brilliant casting choice, that I really liked, because Lady Bracknell is such a strong, dominant character. You can read a news article about Max's performance here.

Alison too, was a commanding Lady Bracknell. She was perfect for the role. She was strong and dominant without being masculine. It was clear she was the Matriarch of the family, and that she was in control.

The dialogue is so quick and so witty. I felt like Amy and I were the only ones laughing. I'm not sure if that's because we know how to be a good audience member, or if we were the only ones getting the jokes. There WERE a lot of old people in the audience, so maybe they just couldn't hear all the humor.At times, I giggled quietly to myself. Others times, I burst out laughing. When I wasn't laughing, I was smiling. There is so much humor in the dialogue that you are almost afraid to laugh, or you might miss the next clever thing that is said.

You can still see The Importance of Being Earnest until April 28th. Megan is in the Tues, Thursday, Saturday cast, but there are performances 6 days a week at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.00. Get your tickets at http://www.centerpointtheatre.org/.

The obligatory self-photo that proves we were there,
although, this really could have been taken anywhere.

Me, Megan, and Amy
"Chins are worn very high this year."

Me, Alison, and Amy

RENT presented by Pioneer Theatre Company

Wednesday last week, I saw Rent at Pioneer Theatre Company with my friend Heidi. I had never seen this show before, but many theatre people seem to really love it.

Pioneer Theatre is a regional professional theatre. This ain't no community theatre. They hold auditions in New York City, with many of their roles reserved for equity actors. They do hold a few slots open for local actors and student apprenticeships. But you had better be DAMN good!

My friend, Gina asked me why an actor from New York would want to come to Utah to perform. Well, they do provide lodging, and you do get paid. Not to mention, it's experience for your resume`, or a chance to play a dream role, in a play you've always wanted to do. Plus, I'm sure the New York theatre market is WAY competitive. Most actors just want to WORK!

The first scene opens up on a group of squatters...ahem, I mean "starving artists" who have basically been living in a warehouse/loft for a year without paying rent. The story is set in the late 80's, and follows a group of friends, many of whom have HIV. 

The 80's were a time or rebellion, anarchy, and fear, and this is reflected in the fragmentation of the first act. It is difficult to decipher what is going on, and many of the characters talk over one another.

By the end of 1990 there were 160,969 reported cases of AIDS. In the early 80's AIDS was considered a death sentence, with a 100 percent mortality rate. During the time that Rent takes place, the drug AZT has been developed, which offers a bit of hope, but AIDS is still spreading rapidly in every community.

Today, the disease has become much more manageable, with HIV positive people living 30+ years. However, this disease continues to be widespread. I heard a statistic somewhere that 50% of the men in New York City have HIV. That's staggering!

I enjoyed the use of the live band onstage. They seemed to blend into the background with the other Bohemians, so that they were a part of the story, instead of a distraction.

My favorite songs were "One Glory Song," "Tango," and "Take Me or Leave Me." My friend Ginger, and her husband Daniel were in this production. Ginger was the understudy for Maureen, and also had the solo in "Seasons of Love". Her voice during the solo simply gave me chills. She easily had the best voice in the cast.

Rent's underlying message is of overwhelming love. It teaches you to make each moment with your loved ones last, because you never know how much time you will have with them.

To see a musical medley of songs from Rent watch the video below. If you only want to hear Ginger sing, scroll to about 2:50.