Brandon Whitlock, Lil Gast, Caitlin Chapa, and Tommy Stuart
Photos by Jordan Fraker
Oscar Wilde's
The Importance of Being Earnest
Directed by Jenni Stewart
Produced by Shakespeare Dallas
Audience Rating: PG
Running Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes with a 15 minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Sensory Friendly Showing: All performances would be considered Sensory Friendly in its outdoor capacity
ASL Showing: Not Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sound Level: Comfortable volume level, a little quiet at times
Noises and Visuals to Prepare For: Occasionally abrupt changes in lights and sound, interactions with/among the audience
Reviewed by Natalie Shaw
Ambition is everything! Nobody got anywhere by sitting around and pouting about it. Seek it, whatever it may be--earnestly, with the utmost totality! It is the American way, after all. Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest proves that, indeed, you may have your cake (or bread and butter) and eat it too!
Shakespeare Dallas' The Importance of Being Earnest opened to a full crowd of patrons enjoying picnic style food and drink, along with top-shelf fun of all kinds on Opening Night. Co-Costume Designer Ryan Matthieu Smith called it "A Dallas tradition" and he couldn't be more right!
Love-struck Jack (Tommy Stuart) pursues the darling and amorous, Gwendolyn (Caitlin Chapa, of Dallas' Fair Assembly fame!) with intentionality, receiving her affirmation with complete abandon! Don't celebrate the happy couple too soon, for mother Lady Bracknell (Nicole Berastequi) most certainly may disapprove. Will Jack's comrade and confidant (also cousin to Gwendolyn,) Algernon (Brandon Whitlock) come to his rescue, or decide to chase his own passions? Perhaps both.
Berastequi's bold and brutal Lady Bracknell leaves no prisoners in her path of ruthful reign, and has not an ounce of compassion for the once-orphaned Jack Worthing, especially in quest of her only daughter. To earn her affections, Bracknell needs title, funds and prestige, all of which Jack, who goes by the name Earnest seems to lack. Sidebar: The name "Earnest" gives him a sense of accomplishment and identity that simpleton "Jack" doesn't provide. As a bonus, he can pretend to be "Earnest" in the city and "Jack" in the country, where he lives with his ward, Cecily (Lily Gast.) Likewise, Algernon, or Algie, as we call him, pretends to be visiting an invalid friend, "Bunbury" whenever he wishes to avoid those pesky social events. Luckily enough for Jack/Earnest, Chapa's hot-and-heavy Gwendolyn is so enamored with the name "Earnest," her excitement makes room for her rousing nature. As long as she doesn't find out that his real name is Jack, he's in the clear. The lovebirds make use of excellent physical comedy by Director Jenni Stewart and Movement/Intimacy Coordinator Dr. Danielle Georgio who've placed an elegant settee downstage for the characters to sit/roll/sprawl-out upon, allowing it to act as both the encourager and the obstructor of lusty behavior.
Stewart and Georgio continue their excellence in physical comedy with heated encounters between Whitlock and Stuart, engaging in hand-to-hand slapstick, or should I say hand-to-face, knee-to-nose and head-to-staircase combat? Whatever you call it--it's deliciously entertaining! Speaking of deliciousness, put Brandon Whitlock in a long-tailed tailored blue suit, with a top hat and cane and watch him strut a runway--hold on to your bonnets, ladies (and gents!) Whitlock's charisma and sharp wit play well with Gast's girlish charm and sassy spirit. Gast's Cecily may look innocently pleasing enough, in her baby pink floral dress and ballet slippers, but this ornery little nymph knows just what a man like Algernon really wants. When Algie isn't stuffing his face with cucumber sandwiches and muffins, he's savoring every bite of her saucy sweetness. Speaking of sauce--*ahem*-- David Helms in knee-high stockings and garters, shorty-shorts with a feather duster? Yes please! The always-remarkable Helms plays Lane, butler to Algie. I use the term"butler" loosely, as clearly, there is more going on between Master/Servant than just a little light dusting around the staircase. Cecily, or no Cecily, Helms' Lane has already staked his claim in Algie, no cat fights needed. Speaking of Master/Servant, you may need to decide for yourself who the real Master is between Algie and Lane in this rendition!
These spectacular characters are dressed to the nine in sensational costumes by Ryan Matthieu Smith, Derik Longoria, and Nick Lefleur. A majestic double-staircase set is completed with grandeur by Uldarico Sarmiento Ossio. Lighting adds heightened dramatic effect and focus with Lori Honeycutt's design and sound effects by Kellen Voss adds flare to the folly and havoc onstage. For exact dates of when The Importance of Being Earnest plays this season, see Shakespeare Dallas' calendar of shows. For ticket information, visit shakespearedallas.org! Don't miss Shakespeare Dallas' opening night of Othello this Friday, June 20th and be sure to catch both shows before they close in July.
Enjoy the Show!
Natalie
Caitlin Chapa as Gwendolyn and Lily Gast as Cecily
Lily Gast as Cecily and Brandon Whitlock as Algernon
Caitlin Chapa as Gwendolyn and Tommy Stuart as Jack
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