Earnest Program

About the

Company Magnolia Theatre Company proudly serves as your local nonprofit, volunteer-based community theatre, enriching the greater New Haven region through the power of the arts. Guided by our core values of Community, Communication & Transparency, Education, and Uncompromising Quality, MTC strives to be a welcoming home where people from all walks of life can learn, grow, create, and build lasting connections through shared artistic experiences. Whether your interest lies onstage, backstage, or in the audience, we are committed to helping individuals discover and foster their passions cultivating future generations of theatre enthusiasts and arts advocates.

MTC was created in 2019 and put up its first production early 2022 with The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Magnolia has since put on numerous plays AND musicals, but this has been our first classic piece! It was great getting to tackle such a hilarious, strong, and well known script. We hope to explore more classic works in the future.

About the

Play

First performed in 1895, The Importance of Being Earnest is Oscar Wilde’s sparkling comedy of manners, written at the height of the Victorian era and celebrated for its razor-sharp wit and playful satire of society’s rules and expectations. Set among fashionable London drawing rooms and the English countryside, the story follows two young gentlemen whose carefully constructed deceptions lead to a series of unexpected encounters, romantic complications, and delightfully absurd misunderstandings. Filled with memorable characters and Wilde’s brilliant epigrams, this enduring classic remains one of the most beloved comedies in the English language.

Oscar Wilde was an Irish playwright, novelist, and poet best known for his wit and social satire. A leading figure of the Aesthetic Movement, Wilde became one of the most celebrated writers of the Victorian era. He is also known for his relationships with men, particularly Lord Alfred Douglas, at a time when homosexuality was criminalized in Britain. In 1895, Wilde was convicted of "gross indecency" and imprisoned, an experience that deeply affected the final years of his life. Today, he is remembered both for his literary achievements and as an important figure in LGBTQ+ history.

Directors Notes Mostly I love this play because it’s funny! Really funny!

I mean I could bore you with some academic hoohaa about how Wilde parodies Victorian dramatic conventions , or about the theory of aestheticism or some such nonsense but it’s not why I love this play. I love this play because it makes me laugh! I love this play because these characters are all a little flawed and somewhat quirky and most definitely not quite ‘earnest’. And yes they are a tad indulgent too, and maybe even a wee bit callous and prone to shallow ambition, but they also are often charming and delightful and witty , and like all of us, they are anxious to be loved and adored, and their clumsy attempts to find love and happiness, and yes ‘pleasure’, perhaps leads them ‘astray’ to quote Miss Prism, but in the end of the day, they are witty and charming and often times hilarious and well, we root for them to find love and happiness, Because if they succeed in finding it, then perhaps it’s out there for us too!

After all, don’t we all deserve that? To find magic in the arms of whomever we see fit! Perhaps if Oscar Wilde were alive today he would have been more completely celebrated.

I hope our little bouquet of a show honors fully, Mr. Wilde and his colorful life and brilliant soul.

ACT BREAKDOWN Act I

Algernon's Flat (London) *there will be a 15m intermission between acts 1 and 2*

Act II

Jack 's Country Estate, The Garden (Hertfordshire)

Act III

Jack’s Country Estate, The House (Hertfordshire)

CAST LIST John “Jack” Worthing ............... Ben Jesulaitis Algernon Moncrieff ............... Khallid Graham Gwendolen Fairfax ............................ Lydia Watt Cecily Cardew ............................ Melissa Jensen Miss Prism ............................... Michelle Cawley Rev. Canon Chasuble ............. Matthew Bogen Lady Bracknell ....... Angela Pellegrino-Grant Merriman / Lane ......... Patrick "Packy" Lillis Footman ............................................. Everley Ellis

Please note that due to unfortunate circumstances, the role of Dr. Chasuble will be played by Gwen Murdock during the Wednesday (6/17) performance and Seamus Lonergan during the Thursday (06/18) performance and will be on standby to fill in for the role for the rest of the run. Because of this, you may see the actors with a script.

Cast Bios John “Jack” Worthing Ben Jesulaitis Ben is returning to Magnolia for his third production. Ben is an SCSU graduate (Theatre, Communication Disorders). Magnolia Credits: Ensemble (Stopping Here), Schroeder (You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown). Selected credits: Sebastian (Twelfth Night), Mercutio/Paris (Romeo & Juliet), Charles (Blithe Spirit).

Algernon Moncrieff Khallid Graham Khallid is back with Magnolia for his second production! Last seen as The Leading Player in Pippin, he is thrilled to share his spin on Algy.

Much love to my family, Haus Posh Pearl (@haus.posh.pearl), and as always to Dobby and Jinora. I’M HUNGRY!

Gwendolen Fairfax Lydia Watt Lydia Watt is thrilled to be joining her first Magnolia production. Lydia has a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering and a certificate in theatre from Princeton University. Selected credits: Tiresias (The Bacchae), Viola (Twelfth Night), Karen (The Children's Hour), Fefu/Julia (Fefu and Her Friends), Hannah (Arcadia). Thanks to Karl, Magnolia Theatre Company, and this wonderful cast!

Cast Bios

Cecily Cardew Melissa Jensen

Melissa is humbled to have the opportunity of performing with Magnolia once again, having recently appeared in their production of Stopping Here. Favorite roles include Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar and ensemble in Rent, both with Spotlight Stage Company. Melissa would like to thank Mom and Dad; her sister, Sarah; partner of 12 years, Logan; personal dialect coach, Tyler; and all of her incomparably beautiful friends whom she loves wildly, passionately, devotedly, hopelessly. She would like to dedicate her performance to Arlene and Carolyn.

Miss Prism Michelle Cawley

This is Michelle's third production with Magnolia having previously performed in 'The Best Christmas Pageant ever,' and 'Stopping Here.'

Michelle would like to thank past directors Gwen and Liv as well as her current director Karl for trusting her with bringing each character to life and allowing her the creative freedom to do so. She would also like to extend a special thank you to her three young children, Ryan, Makayla, and Sean, as well as her husband Chris, for sharing Mommy with the stage; the second love of her life after her family. Finally, she would like to thank her fellow cast mates, crew, and everyone involved with Magnolia. Working along such a talented, passionate group of people has been incredibly rewarding.

Rev. Canon Chasuble Matthew Bogen Matthew Bogen (Dr. Chausible) is grateful to be able to continue a recent run of wonderful onstage roles that have included Robert Scott (TERRA NOVA), Lear (KING LEAR), Frank (FAITH HEALER), and ensemble for Magnolia’s recent STOPPING HERE. Directing credits include TEMPEST, MACBETH, and AS YOU LIKE IT. Thank you to my friends and family for their support!

Cast Bios Lady Bracknell Angela Pellegrino-Grant Angela is delighted to join Magnolia for the second time! She previously appeared in "Pippin" in the ensemble. She has also worked with Center Stage and the New Haven Gaelic Players. She would like to thank her mother, who suggested she audition for this part by noting that she was a "natural fit" to play an overbearing matriarch.

Merriman / Lane Patrick "Packy" Lillis Packy Lillis has been performing with the Gaelic Players in New Haven for the past 15 years. Performing in many classic Irish plays.

This is my first performance with the Magnolia group, and it has been a wonderful learning experience. I look forward to performing with them again in the future, if I'm so lucky

Footman Everley Ellis

Everley has been in every Magnolia show to date, most notably playing the role of Theo in Pippin last summer. She is also a disciple in our upcoming production of Godspell. She is incredibly inspired to work with such a talented cast and wishes everybody luck!

Creative Team Director Karl Ryan Karl Ryan has been acting and directing since he was dragged off a barstool in his early 20’s by his mentor Charlie Stars who suggested to him that his time might be better spent. Over the years he has come to realize that community theater is at the very core of what gives his life meaning and that there is nothing greater than Art and Community ! ‘Make art ! ‘ He would say , you know, if he was writing this bio….ahem….

Karl Ryan Resident Artist Jill Butler

Jill Butler

Jill Butler has been Magnolia’s Resident Artist since 2022, when she accidentally rescued the director by helping to create the set for You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, while picking her daughter up from a rehearsal. And the rest, as they say, is history. Jill would like to wish the cast and crew a great production, and has had a blast creating a Victorian wonderland and outfitting this fabulous, talented cast!

Magnolia Credits: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ride the Cyclone, Pippin, Stopping Here.

Creative Team

Bradley Ellis Artistic Director Lighting Desighner

Gwen Murdock General Manager

Alayna Ellis

Everley Ellis

Social Media, Lighting, Stage Manager

Sound Design

Magnolia Theatre’s Board of Directors

Erin Guerrera, Marcie Monaco, David Christensen, Shawn Kelly

Creative Team Mia Butler

Janna Ellis

Spotlight Operator

Box Office, Front of House

Bella Bartner

Shaun Donnelly

Set Painter

Set Construction

Special Thanks From Karl Ryan

I’d like to thank everyone at Magnolia for their incredible generosity of spirit. Thank you also to the community at Pilgrim church for sharing the beautiful space with us .

Thank you to Bradley Ellis for his endless support. His enormous spirit is what puts the community in community theater . To Jill Butler, I am in complete awe of you! I believe there is no project out of reach with you on the team. To Shaun Donnelly thank you so much for all you skills and labor and for always being there. To Katie D, thank you for stepping in and helping guide the team along the way . To Bella for stepping in with your artistic flair and bright demeanor thank you.

To my cast, Melissa, Michelle, Ben, Khalid, Matt, Lydia, Angela Patrick Everley, I am so humbled to have worked with you all. What incredible talent. Your brilliance is matched only by your dedication to excellence and your commitment to community. Thank you sharing your bright souls every night .

And thank you to all of you who have come out to support us. Without you none of this can exist. Thank you for supporting community theater.

Thanks The Community at Pilgrim Congregational Church Dr. Ben Doolittle & David Christensen Shaun Donnelly Katie Durham Maria Frey Bella Bartner Playhouse on Park Alison Griffin Jasmine Calhoun Fashionista Vintage & Variety Margaret Prendergast Suzanne Tanner The families of the cast and crew for supporting their artists with their endeavors.

Partners: Alison Griffin’s Photography

Pilgrim Congregational Church

Upcoming