Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest

Presented by Pier One Theatre and KBBI AM 890

Directed by Jennifer Norton

BROUGHT TO YOU BY ULMER’S DRUG AND HARDWARE AND SOUTH PENINSULA HOSPITAL

Jennifer Norton, Director

The Importance of Being Earnest is a delightful play that I have spent a great deal of time with. I have played Miss Prism twice, once in high school under the direction of Brad Kloeckl, and again on the Pier One stage under the direction of my sister Carolyn Norton. I never grow tired of Oscar Wilde’s wit, and discover something new each time I experience the play. I am thrilled to be able to share it with the community in this new medium.

The idea for radio theatre has been bandied about for a while between myself and my husband Curtis Jackson (playing Jack in the show) and also with percussionist Scott Bartlett who was eager to try his hand as a sound effects man.

Last fall, when Josh Krohn took on the position of General Manager at KBBI, he immediately reached out to see if Pier One would be interested in collaborating.

Originally slated for this coming September,  our radio production moved to the front burner when we realized we would not be able to present live productions in our Spit Theatre this summer. Josh, Scott and I selected Earnest for what I hope is the first of many collaborations.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to connect with actors and with audience even though we cannot meet in person. 

Cast and Crew

Scott Bartlett, Sound Design and Creation

Scott has been in Homer for 8 years and increasingly involved in local performance projects. He's usually hiding behind an array of percussion instruments, such as with the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra and KP Brass Band, and played in pit orchestras for Pier One Theatre's productions of Spamalot and Jesus Christ Superstar.

As an audio producer with Jack Straw Productions, Scott created a number of radio theater and documentary works for Seattle area radio broadcast, as well as sound design for theater. The Importance of Being Earnest, as a remotely produced project, is making evident how many sound-making things are lying around his house. Scott is the Executive Director of Homer Council on the Arts.

Jules Joy as Merriman

Jules Joy has been acting up since adolescence and in  Alaska for over 30 years.

She has enjoyed playing parts in Bye Bye Birdie, the Halloween version of the all girl cast of Ghostbusters, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the all dog cast of Cats and various villainesses. She loves the way theatre knits a community together and considers herself a purl in the tangle of life.

Val Sheppard as Lane

I’ve been a performer for as long as I can remember and don’t have any intentions of stopping. I’m glad there are so many who feel the same way and I look forward to what’s potentially to come from this summer. I hope you’ll come along for the ride too.

Sarah L. Brewer as Gwendolen Fairfax

Sarah Brewer is a new transplant to Homer, and is very grateful and excited to become a part of the Pier One Theatre family, in whatever form that takes at the present moment.

She is looking forward to more socially connected live theatre, hopefully sooner rather than later.  

Katia Holmes as Cecily Cardew

Katia Holmes is ecstatic to be playing the role of Cecily Cardew in this radio production of The Importance Of Being Earnest. The hilarity of this play and her wonderful co-actors has kept her in stitches and she hopes listeners enjoy it as much as she has.

Katia has performed in numerous Pier One productions and is currently a candidate for a BFA in Acting and Dance at CU Boulder. She is beyond excited to continue performing through a new medium and is so grateful to Jen Norton, KBBI, Pier One, and her stellar cast for making sure the theatre juices stay flowing and keeping her connected to the community.

Jessica Williams as Lady Augusta Bracknell

Jessica is a performer by night and a Human Resources professional by day. In her spare time she is finishing up her Master's Degree in Arts Administration with a concentration in Fundraising and Development.

Jessica is thrilled to be joining Pier One Theatre in their inaugural radio program. She is so grateful to be working with such an eclectic group of people and can't wait to meet them in person.

Thank you to Jennifer for creating such an empowering and happy space to work in. Lastly, thank you to Tristen, Jonathan, Pamela, Tara and Hanh, for keeping me sane and positive, I love you all.

Nancy Chastain as Miss Letitia Prism

Nancy wrote, directed, produced and acted in Pier One plays for quite some time. She was also on the Pier One Board, and was delighted to portray Miss Prism in this audio version of The Importance of Being Earnest.

Sadly, Nancy passed away before Earnest was scheduled to air. This was her final performance with Pier One Theatre.

Curtis Jackson as Jack Worthing

Curt Jackson has been involved as an actor with Pier One Theatre for 6 years. He’s played the creepiest of innkeepers in Les Miserables and the swingiest of traitors in Jesus Christ Superstar. He’s had a lifelong love of radio and radio theatre and hopes to next tackle War of the Worlds and H.P. Lovecraft’s the Shadow Over Innsmouth for Halloween.

Josh Krohn - KBBI General Manager, Recording Advisor and Sound Editor

My first experience in theatre was as Hungry Orphan in the musical Oliver!.  After that, I was hooked. I participated in Pier One's youth program on stage and behind the scenes, eventually becoming a permanent volunteer, paid in Glacier Burgers. 

I've enjoyed a variety of roles on stage, from the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, to Tony in You Can't Take It With You.  I've also served in a number of technical positions, and have a minor in stagecraft. 

I'm delighted to be able to offer our public radio station as a venue for Pier One during this time of social distancing, so the community can still enjoy going to a play, while staying home.

Carol Comfort, Piano

Carol is a Homer pianist, certified health coach and owner of Comfort Music Studio where she teaches loads of students of all ages, to play piano, both remotely and in person.

Reece Cowan as Algernon Moncrieff

My name is Reece Cowan, avid lover of theatrics and Homer! I didn't grow up with cartoons like most people my age. But where I didn't have SpongeBob and Teen Titans I had audiobooks and radio theater! Hours were consumed with sitting and listening to amazing stories and performances unfold, each evoking emotion and excitement through nothing more than microphones and voices. 

Now, through this amazing theatrical community and the perseverance of its leaders to keep on creating, I can do what twelve year old me always wanted to do!

Peter Norton as Dr. Frederick Chasuble

This is Peter’s fortieth season with Pier One Theatre. Halfway to retirement!

Jennifer Norton, Director

As Executive Director of Pier One Theatre, I am very excited to partner with KBBI to explore the new (to us) medium of Radio Theatre. Without the usual summer season at the Spit Theatre, it is a great excuse to try other fun ways to reach audiences and to work with actors. This play is a favorite of mine. The absurdity of the characters is a continuous delight to me. There are so many wonderful gems in Oscar Wilde’s writing.