'Earnest' next up in Lyceum's rotation

Quin Gresham and John Watts star as Algernon and Jack in the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre's production of "The Importance of Being Earnest." The play opens Aug. 10, with proceeds from the Aug. 19 performance going to help the Central Missouri Food Bank. [Click to enlarge]

When the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre opened its doors for the first time in 1961, the play being staged was "The Importance of Being Earnest."

As the theater continues to celebrates its 45th season, the Oscar Wilde play will once again come to life on the Lyceum Stage. The play opens Wednesday and runs in rotation through Aug. 28.

Lyceum Artistic Director Quin Gresham, said the play is often acknowledged as one of the supreme achievements of comedic drama.

"Practically sparkling with wit, humor and mistaken identity, the plot follows two English gentlemen who discover that being 'Earnest' has particular and rewarding advantages," he said.

The current production stars John Watts as Jack, with Gresham playing the role of Algernon.

Watts is a Chicago-based actor who is made his first appearance at The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre this season in "Peter Pan." He is also currently appearing in repertory productions of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" and "Barefoot in the Park."

Gresham has appeared in more than 30 past productions at the Lyceum, including "Lend Me a Tenor," "God's Favorite" and "The Wizard of Oz." He directed "Peter Pan" and will direct the upcoming "Driving Miss Daisy." He will also star "The Glass Menagerie" and "Greater Tuna."

Vanessa Claire Smith and Chelsea Jo Pattison will also appear as Gwendolyn and Cecily. Smith comes to Lyceum from Los Angeles and is the recipient of the 2004 LA Weekly Theater Award for "Best Leading Female Performance" for her role in the Whitefire Theater's production of "A Clockwork Orange." Pattison recently played the title role in "Peter Pan" at both the Lyceum and Music Theatre Louisville.

Gary Wayne Barker will make his Lyceum debut as Lady Bracknell. Mr. Barker has acted at Hot City Theatre Company, The New Jewish Theatre, The Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, and The Human Race Theatre. He is a an associate professor of theater at Saint Louis University.

Also featured in the cast are Alan Knoll as the Reverend Chausable, Kat Singleton as Miss Prism, Daniel Black as Lane and Michael Kateman as Merriman.

The production is under the direction of Bruce Longworth. He is head of the acting program at Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts and has worked as director, actor or voice and dialect coach at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Great Lakes Theatre Festival and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, among others. He has previously directed "The Immigrant," "The Miracle Worker" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" at the Lyceum. The set is designed by Michael McClain with lighting by Randy Winder and costumes by John Metzner.

The Lyceum Theatre is also using the production to help the Central Missouri Food Bank. All proceeds from the Friday, Aug. 19, evening showing will go the food bank.

"Partnering with the food bank is a great way for us to give back to the community around us," Gresham said. "We hope that people will come out to see the show and help in the fight against hunger here in mid-Missouri."

Contact Chris Post at

marshallhealth@socket.net