After weeks of rehearsals, line memorization and set building, students at Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School are ready for opening night. This spring’s two productions highlight not only different styles of storytelling, but also the creativity and teamwork that school theater brings to the stage. Running from May 8 to May 16, the theatre department will be performing “The Importance of Being Earnest,” written by Oscar Wilde and “Church and State,” written by Jason Odell Williams.
Both plays have tickets available online at southweststageworks.com, but you can also purchase them at the door on the night of the show if seating is available. However, buying them online is the best way to ensure you can attend the play, especially on the date that is best for you. Tickets cost $15 for general admission and $10 for students and educators.
“The Importance of Being Earnest,” had their opening night on Thursday, May 7, but tickets are available for May 14 at 7:30 p.m. and May 16 at 2:00 p.m. With a run time of 130 minutes, it is a comedy that focuses on the absurdity of Victorian society and mocks the superficiality of upper-class social norms. In it, two young men, Jack Worthing (played by Charlie Williams) and Algernon Moncrieff (played by Desmond Eagle), assume false identities, calling themselves “Earnest” to avoid social duties and find love.
In a play full of family drama and mistaken identity, Marley Keeling’s, a senior and stage manager for “The Importance of Being Earnest,” favorite part is the third and final act. “[It] is very fast paced and very funny,” said Keeling. As the last act, it is when all of the drama comes to a close and each of the actors comes out on stage.
In terms of the funniest character, Keeling said that Lady Bracknell (played by Maddie Brooks), has some of the best lines in the show. “I think she is just consistently ridiculous and funny.”
Etta Leonardo, a sophomore at IBW and actor in “The Importance of Being Earnest,” said her favorite part of the show was “the amount of attention to detail [they] are taking to getting the accents perfect; the body language.” To stay true to elite Victorian society, Leonardo said actors are even “learning all the etiquette to do with our fans.”
The second play, “Church and State,” had its opening night on May 8, and still has tickets available for its upcoming showings on May 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. Both a comedy and a tragedy, this play reflects and comments on current social issues and politics, written in response to William’s awareness of the increasing prevalence of gun violence.
Balancing gravity, humor and wit, this play discusses faith and politics as a politician decides whether he should reveal to the public what he really thinks. Following Charles Whitmore’s campaign as a Republican Senator (played by Giuseppe Lipari), “Church and State” is a political satire sure to bring laughs while addressing serious topics.
“I hope everyone comes and sees the plays because a lot of people worked very hard on them,” said Keeling. “[There is] a lot of talent on both of the shows.”
