BY Annie May
Staff Reporter
From Nov. 15 to 18, “The Importance of Being Earnest” will be performed at the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts.
“It’s one thing to read a play in class and dissect it, but it’s another thing to see it with life in it,” said senior Kalliopi Gatzoflias, Production Stage Manager and Theater Arts Program Co-Technical chair.
The play, written by Oscar Wilde, portrays the comedic story of two bachelor friends who take on double lives to capture the attention of two women. These two bachelors have to face consequences for their actions throughout the show.
“It’s a very simple show, about real people and the character of real people,” said senior Bradly Taylor, playing the role of Algernon Moncreiff.
Show writer Oscar Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright. Some of his other well-known works include “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” “The Canterville Ghost” and his well-known tragedy “Salome”.
“The Importance of Being Earnest” is described in the original text as “A trivial Comedy for serious people.”
“It’s hilarious, it’s a lot of subtle things that makes you laugh,” said Gatzoflias “It’s a lot of looks and glances and side-eyes, and it’s hard not to just crack up.”
The play was first performed in 1895 at St. James Theatre in London on Valentine’s Day.
“The main thing with this show is getting the accents down. Our director is amazing and helps the actors learn the accents and dialect, along with inflection which can change the meaning and tone of the line,” said Gatzoflias.
“My favorite part about being in this show has definitely been getting to work with everyone in the cast and crew. They are all such funny, hardworking individuals and truly great actors. It’s an honor to get to share the stage with each and every one of them,” said junior Courtney O’Shea, playing the role of Gwendolyn Fairfax.
Before opening night on Nov. 15, Kallioppi Gatzoflias, the production manager for the show, explained how much behind-the-scenes work goes into a production.
“After a show is casted, my job is to look at the student’s schedules & conflicts and talk to the director and plan out rehearsals,” said Gatzoflias. “Rehearsals on Saturdays are sometimes seven hours long. Especially when we get to tech week.”
O’Shea has been in other productions at Sacred Heart University, but this one is different.
“Although I have been in a few plays here, most of the other shows I’ve gotten the chance to be in here at SHU have been musicals. I’m excited to get the chance to focus more on my acting and character work through this fun play,” said O’Shea.
Opening night is Nov. 15 in the Edgerton Theatre at 8pm. Tickets will be sold for $5 to Sacred Heart students.
“Bring a date, bring your parents, bring your friend, bring all three or bring none. Just come by yourself and have a good time,” said Taylor.
