By Eva Trieger
SOLANA BEACH, California — If the adage is true, that things get better with age, theatergoers are in for a treat when these North Coast Rep Theatre School actors mature. The entire cast of The Importance of Being Earnest is already in line to win Tony and Golden Globe Awards for their exquisite performance of this dialogue-heavy, hilarious romantic comedy written by Oscar Wilde.
Set in London and the countryside, in 1895, two young men, believing they’ve each found the woman of their dreams, wish to marry. However, due to social and economic standing, they must prove their salt in order to win their sweethearts. That doesn’t seem too surprising, but through interesting twists of fate, and serendipitous relations, it’s quite a tangle. John (Jack) Worthing (Kai Bunyak) wishes to marry the cousin, Gwendolyn (Ezri Rohatgi) of his friend, Algernon Moncrieff (Audrey Wilkins). Moncrieff meets and becomes besotted with Worthing’s ward, Cecily (Charlotte Larson).
Additional characters add to the complexities that threaten to keep these young lovers from tying the knot. Lady Bracknell (Tirzah Cisneros), mother of Gwendolyn and aunt to Algernon, conducts a thorough investigation withholding her blessing until satisfied. Critical cast members include Miss Prism (Mia Danieli), Cecily’s tutor, and Reverend Canon Chasuble (Tommy Caringella). And what member of the upper crust wouldn’t have reliable, devoted, excellent, trustworthy manservants? These delightful, fusty souls were Lane (Cordelia Rice) and Merriman (Jemi Cisneros), Basil FitzGerald, and Kate Goodman. Their sighs and judgmental “hmms” were beautifully timed and a very clever device.
Director Benjamin Cole has done such a beautiful job providing this cast with structure and guidance. Assistant directors, Steve Smith and Kate Goodman have much to be proud of. This show was every bit as professional as any mainstage production of North Coast Rep. I am continually amazed by the quality of this theatre school’s productions. There is nothing amateurish about the quality of any facet of this production; great sets, costumes, on-point British accents, and clever staging. It’s nearly unfathomable that the talent on this stage ranges from 12-17 years old.
Several members of this cast have tackled Shakespeare, The Nutcracker, Into the Woods, and many more productions, both at NCRT Theatre School and California Ballet. The production team is equally talented. Basil FitzGerald and Paul Smith stage-managed, Caleb Foley, Sound Designer, and Liam Sullivan, Light Designer created a flawless show with obvious expertise.
The performance I attended included an audience filled with The Grauer School students who’d come out to support their colleague, Ezri Rohatgi. From the applause, I know they were as impressed as I was!
Generally, audiences for Theatre School performances are parents and classmates or friends. I cannot urge readers strongly enough! North Coast Repertory’s Theatre School is beyond worthy of your ticket purchase. Don’t you want to know who’ll be the next “IT Girl or Boy” on Broadway? Chances are you’ll find them here before they are discovered.
Visit www.northcoastrep.org or call 858.481.1055 for future show information and tickets.
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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com