Preview of 'The Importance of Being Earnest'

Written by Hannah Mudry

SHELTON, CT - The Importance of Being Earnest is coming to the valley this July! The Valley Shakespeare Festival is set to host the farce July 13th through the 16th at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Shelton and July 20th through the 23rd at Quarry Walk in Oxford.

Oscar Wilde’s comedy focuses on the escape of social obligations through marriage, conscience and double lives. This “trivial comedy for serious people” follows Jack Worthington as he escapes the city under the faux representation of “Ernest.” He seeks to marry Gwendolen, but the main antagonist, Lady Bracknell, refuses his hand for her. After discovering his deception, Algernon, Gwendolen’s cousin, travels to Jack’s country estate with a second identity. Through Algernon and Jack’s disagreements and their social portrayal, Wilde is able to show the satire in the Victorian ages and the pettiness of certain relations.

Although this show is not a Shakespearean Classic, Director Tom Simonetti does not feel the company is stepping away from William Shakespeare.

“Wilde uses wordplay and mannerism in his writing that is based on Shakespeare’s work,” said Simonetti.

Working himself into this witty comedy, Simonetti will also be portraying the role of Lady Bracknell.

“It’s not easy. [Directing and acting] is a balancing act,” said Simonetti. “You have to make sure you’re with the actors as a director and as a fellow actor. There are times when it gets confusing.”
To help himself maintain the work, Simonetti is delegating with an assistant director, Kendall Segovia.

The rest of the executive positions are filled by Kristen Kingsley*, production stage manager; Cayleigh Cummings, assistant stage manager; Ivy Swinski, costume designer; and Matt Durland, music director.

“It feels like coming home every summer. It's a welcoming, entertaining, and fun environment,” said Kingsley. “The theater kid comes out of me when I’m watching the actors create.”
The cast of The Importance of Being Earnest features new and old actors from the Valley Shakespeare Festival. The mostly Actor's Equity cast, includes Tom Simonetti* as Lady Bracknell, Jordan Kaplan* as Jack Worthington, Matt Mancuso* as Algernon, Siena D’Addario as Cecily, Alexandra Fortin* as Gwendolen, Gary Harger* as Rev. Chasuble, Christie Maturo* as Miss Prism and Lane/Merriman is portrayed by Stephen Kalpin.

Starred names denote a member of Actor’s Equity, the union for all stage actors and stage managers.

“We are continuing Oscar Wilde’s legacy. We are speaking his language. This show didn’t get its full run,” said Mancuso. “It’s a fun show. No one cannot have fun in Valley Shakespeare.”
The behind-the-scenes aspect of the show is primarily executed by high school and college students. Valley Shakespeare Festival provides this opportunity so students interested in the theater arts can learn the ins and outs of a production with the help of professional actors and tech team.

The run crew is made up of Hannah Semrow, Connor Doughney, Evan Moore, Alyssa Gillies, and Celia Misuraca. Costuming is executed with the help of Maile Booth and Gwen Niles. Publicity execution is done by Hannah Mudry. Set design is completed by Claire Cummings.

The Importance of Being Earnest will be presented July 13th through the 16th at 7pm at Veterans Park, 38 Canal Street E., Shelton, CT. As well as, July 20th through 23rd at Quarry Walk, Oxford Road, Oxford, CT. Tickets are free with a suggested $10 donation. Bring a blanket and a lawn chair and watch the unforgettable story be told.