By Natalia Taylor | Reporter

A luxurious and artistically furnished room accompanied by the sound of piano from the adjoining room sets the scene for the drama program’s last performance of the year, “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

Written by Oscar Wilde, “The Importance of Being Earnest” is a comedy from the late 1800s. Director and English teacher Kelly Haut said this play is among her favorites, influencing her decision to choose it for the spring production.

“It’s my personal favorite play ever, so that’s part of the reason I chose it, not gonna lie,” Haut said.

Haut is also excited to direct the play because of its genre as well as the set they will make. The set will include old fashioned décor with a lot of drapes and elegant costumes.

“It’s the first romantic comedy we’re doing,” Haut said. “We’re getting some exciting set stuff that we’ve never done before.”

The play consists of only nine wealthy characters who live in late Victorian London. The cast includes senior Noshua Setzer as Jack (Ernest) Worthing, senior Zaq Carroll as Algernon Moncrieff, senior Aly Welch as Gwendolen Fairfax, senior Logan Chard as Cecily Cardew, junior Jadess Taitano as Lady Bracknell, sophomore Brynna Sherley as Miss Prism, senior Michael Stephens as Dr. Chasuble, junior Christian Chase as Lane and junior Thomas Ledesma as Merriman.

According to Haut, the play is about different couples and their journey to becoming engaged. The main couples are Algernon and Cecily, Jack and Gwendolen and the third less prevalent couple, Dr. Chasuble and Miss Prism.

“It’s basically about three couples and them getting to the point where they can become

engaged,” Haut said.

Taitano thinks the romance in the play will appeal to the audience upon making its debut.

“A lot of people like that romance in plays because it’s hilarious, so guys will like it but it’s also romantic so it also has that feeling that girls will want to see,” Taitano said.

Sherley believes success of the comedy in the play holds its success in the timing.

“It’s British humor which is really cheeky,” Sherley said. “The timing has to be perfect to get the humor across.”
Setzer agrees.

“The timing of everything is very important,” Setzer said. “The eyes, the eyebrows, all of the facial expressions and just everything have to be right.”

“The Importance of Being Earnest” will make its debut in the Marshfield Auditorium from May 2-4 at 7 p.m. Admission will be $5 for staff and students and $8 for adults at the door before each showing.

Haut said there is a lot to look forward to on opening night.

“There’s a lot of awkward and ironic moments in there that are very entertaining, and there’s some on-stage kissing going on for the couples, and that’s always funny to see from high school students,” Haut said. “It’s going to be a great show.”