The Franklin College Theatre Department will present its first play of the year, The Importance of Being Earnest at 8 p.m. beginning Thursday, Oct. 7 through Saturday, Oct. 9 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10.  All performances will be in Théâtre Margot in the Johnson Center for Fine Arts. Masks are required in all indoor spaces on campus regardless of an individual’s vaccination status.

Written by Oscar Wilde in 1895, this popular and enduring comedy follows the exploits of friends Jack and Algernon who concoct elaborate deceptions to engage their love interests, Gwendolen and Cecily. Their carefully arranged schemes fall apart with the arrival of the formidable Lady Bracknell. What follows is a merry tangle of mistaken identities and witty banter as multiple love stories play out simultaneously with great charm and humor.

Robin Roberts, professor of theatre at Franklin College, will direct the play. Roberts earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in playwriting from Southern Illinois University. He has a Master of Arts degree in theatre and speech from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor’s degree in English from Clemson University. 

General admission is $12. Admission for each performance is $8 for students and seniors (55 and older). Franklin College students, faculty and staff will receive free admission with a valid Franklin College ID.

To reserve tickets, email tickets@FranklinCollege.edu or call (317) 738-8029 or (800) 852-0232, ext. 8029. Please claim reservations ten minutes before the performance. The box office opens one hour before the performance.

The Johnson Center for Fine Arts is located at the corner of Branigin Blvd. and Grizzly Dr. Traveling west on State Road 44, take a left onto Forsythe St.  Turn right onto Jefferson St., following the sign to the main entrance to the college. Turn left onto Branigin Blvd.  The Johnson Center for Fine Arts is on the left at the second stop sign.

The cast for the production includes:

Cooper Davis, of Carthage, will play the part of Algernon.

Ken Casey, of Martinsville, will play the parts of Lane/Merriman.

Matthew Moxley, of Martinsville, will play the part of Jack.

Marian Case, of Pendleton, will play the part of Lady Bracknell.

Josie Lyons, of Coatesville, will play the part of Gwendolyn.

Eric Walthour, of Franklin, will play the part of Miss Prism.

Cameron McAbee, of Shelbyville, will play the part of Cecily.

Nate Irskens, of Greenwood, will play the part of Rev. Chasuble.

The crew for the production includes:

Spencer Downhour, of Franklin, is the stage manager.

Sarah Mendoza, of Indianapolis (46227), is the light board operator.

Jaden Herbst, of Lafayette is the sound operator.

Olivia Fannin, of Indianapolis (46234), is the sound operator.

Contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185 for more information. 

POSTED Sep 16, 2021