Published: November 18, 2008 09:24 am      

SCC Theatre Department to present Oscar Wilde’s comedy ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’ Nov. 20-22

Community News

The cast is set and rehearsals are under way for Somerset Community College Theatre’s opening play of the 2008-2009 theatre seasons, “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

The world-famous Oscar Wilde comedy will be presented on SCC Stoner Little Theatre stage on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20, 21 and 22, at 8 p.m. Tickets went on sale Nov. 10.

The plot of “The Importance of Being Earnest” is as delightfully silly as Wilde’s dialogue. Jack Worthing is in love with a young woman by the name of Gwendolyn Fairfax. In order to live a scandalous lifestyle while at the same time maintaining a respectable reputation, Jack assumes the identity of his fictional brother, Earnest. Jack’s ward, Cecily, learns about Jack’s disreputable brother and falls in love with the illusion instantly. Jack’s good friend, Algernon, who learns of Cecily’s interest in Earnest, decides to take on the identity himself. Naturally, this is the perfect formula for mistaken identities which lead to a comic romp.

The role of Jack Worthing will be played by Ricky Perkins. Perkins is employed by the Pulaski County School system. He appeared in such SCC productions as “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” “The Women of Shakespeare,” “Reefer Madness” and “La Bella Luna.”

Playing the role of Jack’s friend, Algernon Moncrieff, is Pulaski County High School student Keifer Adkins. Adkins has appeared in many SCC productions including “The Tide Shall Cover the Earth,” “Radio Suspense Theatre” and “Plan Nine From Outer Space.” He was last seen as Prince Simon in last season’s “Bedtime Stories.”

The role of Gwendolyn Fairfax will be played by Kate Scibal. Scibal is employed with the Madison County School System. She has recently moved to the area and has a broad background in theatre. Kate debuted on the Stoner stage earlier this season with SCC’s Reader’s Theatre Company.

The role of Gwendolyn’s mother, Lady Bracknell, will be played by Theresa Jean Kibby. Kibby is a regular with Somerset audiences and has had key roles in such SCC productions as “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Tartuffe,” “The Glass Menagerie,” “The Tempest” and in the recurring role of Lauren McNair in SCC’s Radio Suspense Theatre series. She was last seen on the Stoner stage as the Queen in last season’s “Bedtime Stories.”

The role of Jack’s ward, Cecily, will be played by SCC theatre student Emily Wesley. Wesley has appeared in such SCC productions as “The Tide Shall Cover the Earth,” “The Women of Shakespeare” and “Plan Nine From Outer Space.”

Wesley has also appeared in the recurring role of Sandy Sawyer in the Radio Suspense Theatre series.

Others in the cast include Dexter Silvers as Dr. Chasuble; Andi Moore as Miss Prism; Joshua Jones as Lane and Jessica Newcomb as Meriwether. Julie Thorn and Elliot Cleberg will serve as production assistants. The costume design for “The Importance of Being Earnest” will be done by Sherry Crabtree. Steve Cleberg will direct.

For additional information regarding tickets for The Importance of Being Earnest, contact Sherry Crabtree at (606) 451-6766 or at:

Sherry.Crabtree@kctcs.edu