Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents
The Importance of Being Earnest
Billing Credits
Artistic Director: Marya Sea Kaminski
Managing Director: Shaunda McDill
By Oscar Wilde
Adapted and directed by Jenny Koons*
In association with Baltimore Center Stage
Starring
Hope Anthony, James Counihan, Veronica Del Cerro, Paul "Paulie" Deo, Jr., Susan Lynskey, Alex Manalo, Joseph McGranaghan, DYLAN Marquis MEYERS, David Ryan Smith
Scenic Designer: Jason Ardizzone-West
Costume Designer: Hugh Hanson
Wig Designer: Kathy Mathews
Lighting Designer: Annmarie Duggan
Sound Design & Additional Music: Daniela Hart & UpTownWorks
Assistant Stage Manager: Kelly Haywood*
Stage Manager: Natalie Hratko*
Associate Director: B Kleymeyer
*Denotes Actors' Equity Association membership
The O'Reilly Theater is a project of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Letter from the Artistic Director
Hello Friends,
As we gather to experience the timeless classic THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, I’m reminded of its remarkable journey from its scandalous debut in 1895 to this vibrant collaboration between our team and the talented individuals at Baltimore Center Stage.
Under the inventive direction of Jenny Koons, we have been delighted to come together to breathe new life into this incredible classic, rediscovering its timeless themes of love and class for a new generation of audiences.
I first encountered this “trivial comedy for serious people” in high school and was suspicious of its heightened language and pompous characters. And then… it made me laugh. Truly, fully belly laugh. This play does what so many great comedies do — intoxicates us with a cascade of smart, sometimes ridiculous humor to open our eyes to an absurd, undeniable truth: about the way social rules limit and define us, about what we risk when we value our reputations over the call of our own hearts, about the way love and friendship are so often the only means we have to discover who we truly are and what we truly want.
Oscar Wilde once said, “Illusion is the first of all pleasures.” We are thrilled to welcome you to Wilde’s masterpiece of illusion, where wit reigns supreme and truth is served up as a spicy side dish with afternoon tea. Let us embark on this wild journey together (see what I did there ;) and relish the laughter and insights that await us.
Onward,
The Cast
Hope Anthony* PRODUCTION UNDERSTUDY
Last seen in A Christmas Story: The Play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Harlem, and A Raisin in the Sun. Tour: ¡Arriba, Arriba! (Pittsburgh CLO). Film: House of Stones (2023) and Grinding Doubt (NY International Film Awards Winner 2021). TV: GetGo Holiday, UPMC, and Finger Lakes Casino, NY commercials.
James Counihan PRODUCTION UNDERSTUDY
James is excited to be working with The Public for the first time! Counihan is a proud “Yinzer” and is extremely grateful to Jenny, Marya, and the rest of the Public for welcoming him with open arms. Special shout out to the “Earnest” cast, his family, Juli, Trimm, and all his friends who have supported his artistic journey. BFA Ithaca College.
Veronica del Cerro* GWENDOLEN FAIRFAX
Credits include: Othello (Shakespeare Theatre); El Paso Blue, Ana en el Trópico (GALA); Adventures of Homer (Kennedy Center); Savage in Limbo (MetroStage); Rock n'Roll, My Children! My Africa! (Studio Theatre) Internationally: Proyecto Bicéfalo, Teatro del Mundo, Movimiento en Red. @mia.moca, @vronnv
Paul "Paulie" Deo, Jr.* JACK WORTHING
Paul “Paulie” Deo Jr. is grateful to be making his Pittsburgh Public Theater debut. Recent credits include a Romeo & Juliet collaboration with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Gentleman Caller in Arizona Theater Company’s The Glass Ménagerie, and Claudio in Shakespeare Theater of DC’s Much Ado About Nothing. BA Wesleyan University, MFA NYU-Tisch Graduate Acting.
Susan M. Lynskey* MISS PRISM
Susan Lynskey is a multi-Helen Hayes-nominated actress whose 25-year AEA career spans Off-Broadway, The Kennedy Center, and leading Regional Theaters. (Full credits: susanlynskey.com. Agent: HCKR.) Susan is Earnestly grateful for her loving Parents, Susie, LBR, amazing Jenny Koons, and this Pittsburgh Public Theater debut with this full hearts-forward Company.
Alex Manalo* CECILY CARDEW
Manalo is a Fil-Am theater maker based in Pittsburgh, making her debut at The Public! Recent credits: Guys and Dolls, Christmas Carol (PCLO); Christmas At Pemberley, (City Theatre); Khuraki (RealTime Art); Buoyant Sea (Hiawatha Project); Morning Reckoning (New Hazlett CSA). Point Park University Grad. Rep: Docherty Agency. Much love to this cast & crew; family & fiancé. Mabuhay! @alexmanalo_
Joseph McGranaghan* LANE/REV. CANON CHASUBLE/MERRIMAN
Previously for The Public: Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For, Barefoot in the Park. Select credits: Pittsburgh: City Theatre, Quantum Theatre, Bricolage. NYC: SITI Company, Mabou Mines, Fault Line Theatre. Regional: Asolo Rep, Baltimore Center Stage, McCarter Theatre. Film/TV: American Rust, Mayor of Kingstown, Liberte: A Call to Spy. All my love to the talented and tireless Lily. josephmcgranaghan.com
Dylan Marquis Meyers ALGERNON MONCRIEFF
University of Pittsburgh: Compleat Female Stage Beauty (Kynaston); Machinal (Lover); Agamemnon (Chorus). Pittsburgh International Classical Theater: Great Expectations (Pip); Observe the Sons of Ulster (Martin Crawford); Lion in Winter (King Phillip); Romeo & Juliet (Romeo). Standalone Production: Orphans (Phillip). Quantum Theatre: Collaborators (Sergei); Hamlet (Marcellus/First Player/Fortinbras). CSA: Himbos (Beauregard).
David Ryan Smith* LADY BRACKNELL
Broadway: One Man Two Guvnors, Passing Strange. Off Broadway: New York Theater Workshop, Lincoln Center, Public Theater, Classical Theater of Harlem, Women's Project, Soho Rep, Signature Theater Company, Playwrights Horizons, City Center Encores!, BAM. Film: Relay, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Medal of Victory, Bee Season. Faculty: Playwrights Horizons Theater School/NYU.
*Denotes members of the Actors' Equity Association
The Creative Team
Jenny Koons* DIRECTOR
Credits include: The Whitney Album (Soho Rep); Regretfully, So the Birds Are (Playwrights Horizons); Head Over Heels (Pasadena Playhouse with Sam Pinkleton); Hurricane Diane (Huntington); Men on Boats (Baltimore Center Stage); Speechless (Blue Man Group National Tour); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The Public Theater); Burn All Night (American Repertory Theatre).
B Kleymeyer* ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Credits: i think i'm starting to want to be a Mother and Adult Things (Carnegie Mellon University); The Real Girls (Project Y); i’m not done with this body (Kelly Strayhorn Theatre); Kiss Me Mr. Musk (Single Carrot Theatre); we broke up. (Rochester Fringe); Safe Space (Single Carrot Theatre). John Wells Directing Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University. bkleymeyer.com
Natalie Hratko* STAGE MANAGER
Current: Sammy Miller and The Congregation, And So We Walked, Underground Railroad Game, ON BECKETT (Octopus Theatricals). Credits: ILLINOISE (Justin Peck); HOME (Fin Productions); Ballet Idaho, Ballet Met, Tulsa Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Ailey School, The Lucky Ones, KPOP, The Wildness (Ars Nova); Oh, Hello! (Cherry Lane Theatre).
Kelly Haywood* ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Past Pittsburgh Public Theater productions: Steel Magnolias, A Tell-Tale Heart, Noises Off, Dragon Lady, An Iliad, Slow Food, Little Shop of Horrors, Barefoot in the Park, Raisin in the Sun, A Christmas Story: The Play. Kelly has also done several productions with Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Opera, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
Jason Ardizzone-West SCENIC DESIGNER
Jason Ardizzone-West is an Emmy award-winning designer whose work spans live theater, dance, TV/film, concerts, immersive, and architecture. Recent/notable projects include Redwood (La Jolla), Phish Gamehendge (MSG), Jesus Christ Superstar Live (NBC), Monsoon Wedding (St Ann’s), Wedding Band (Theatre for a New Audience), “Blue Man Group," “Florence + The Machine," “Usher” (tours), and more.
Hugh Hanson COSTUME DESIGNER
Hugh Hanson has designed for the Pittsburgh Public Theater (Murder on the Orient Express, A Few Good Men, Marjorie Prime). Other credits: Christmas at Pemberley (City Theatre); Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Portland Stage Company. Hugh teaches at Carnegie Mellon University. hughhanson.com
Kathy Mathews WIG DESIGNER
Annmarie Duggan LIGHTING DESIGNER
Ms. Duggan is excited to return to The Public. Regional Credits: American Girl Theatre, Chicago, LA, and New York, Skylight Music Theatre, Maine State Music Theatre, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Athens Theatre. Ms. Duggan is a Professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Ms. Duggan works in application development for theatre professionals. amddesignonline.com
UpTownWorks SOUND DESIGN & ADDITIONAL MUSIC
UptownWorks is a collaborative design team specializing in theatre, film, podcasts, installations and other media. This design was led by Daniela Hart (uptownworksnyc.com), Bailey Trierweiler (btsounddesign.com) and Noel Nichols (noelnicholsdesign.com).
*Denotes members of the Actors' Equity Association
Staff List
Artistic Director
Marya Sea Kaminski
Managing Director
Shaunda McDill
Artistic
Brian Pope, Casting & Literary Director
Justin Emeka, Resident Director
Demeatria Boccella, Artist-in-Residence
José Pérez IV, Resident Fight & Intimacy Director
Mora V. Harris, Resident Playwright
Brian Pope, Resident Playwright
Kelly Trumbull, Resident Playwright
Alec Silberblatt, Resident Playwright
TJ Young, Resident Playwright
Administrative & Finance
Stewart Urist, Director of Finance & Administration
Lisha Logan, Director of Human Resources
Jim Overton, Finance Manager
Anna Skeels, AP and AR Associate
Fred Noel, Systems Coordinator
Meleana Felton, Talent & Equity Manager
Lindsay Barr, Executive Assistance & Board Liaison
Morgan Overton, Workforce Director
Development
Devan Mercurio, Senior Manager of Development
Milton Melendez, Development Associate
Education & Engagement
Parag S. Gohel, Director of Education & Engagement
Jalina McClarin, Engagement Manager
Jenny Malarkey, Education Manager
Dominique Briggs, Summer Camp Education Consultant
House Management
Jamie Dawson, House Manager
Shawn Israel, Assistant House Manager
Jay Chapman, Accessibility Concierge
Alana Moye, Accessibility Concierge
Marketing & Communications
Aja Jones, Director of Marketing & Communications
Lucy Chen, Graphic Designer
Ben Geibel, Digital Content Manager
Christie Jay Snyder, Marketing & Communication Manager
Patron Services
Fred Frances, Associate Director of Patron Services
Ali Mohammed Srour, Patron Services Data Associate
Production
Monica Bowin, Director of Production & Operations
Trent Wolfred, Associate Director of Operations
Savannah Merrill, Company Manager/COVID Safety Manager
Emma Antenen, Scenic Design Assistant
Rob McLeod, Technical Director
Lisa Harshbarger, Scene Shop Manager
Drew Palajsa, Head Shop Carpenter
Sean DeKonty, Shop Carpenter
Joe Paski, Shop Carpenter
Shannon Seibel, Shop Carpenter
Celeste Parrendo, Charge Scenic Artist
Adalgisa Bosonetto-Schwerin, Assistant Charge Artist
Anna-Lena Kempen, Scenic Artist
Pat McDonough, Scenic Artist
Emmaline Naud, Scenic Artist
Clair Rimes, Scenic Artist
Alexandra Vogelsong, Scenic Artist
Toni Woods, Scenic Artist
Gay Kahkonen, Properties Head
Kelly Yann, Properties Coordinator
Venise St. Pierre, Costume Shop Head
Christyann Trbovich, Costume Shop Coordinator
Kyle Huber, Costume Shop Associate
Coleen Crivello, First Hand
Erin Prokopchak, First Hand
Jo(e) Herr, Stitcher
Sigrid Rettger, Stitcher
Derek St. Pierre, Stitcher
Joe Borsch, Lighting Design Assistant
Joshua Beumer, Head Electrician
Zach Moore, Head Sound Engineer
Percy Fitts, Interim Wardrobe Supervisor
Johanna Cahill, Dresser
Virginia Nicoll-Hernandez, Dresser
Kathy Mathews, Hair & Makeup Stylist
Mikey Abate, Head Stage Carpenter
Philip Cassidy, Production Key/A-2
Christina Dragan-Dima, Production Key
Special Thanks
Julia Kreutzer
Krostyne Studio
Ryan M. Rattley
Michael Patrick Trimm
Zev Woskoff
This performance of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST runs approximately 2 hours with one 15-minute intermission.
Rated Rating: PG for romantic innuendo, allusion to alcohol and smoking. Suitable for most audience with guidance urged for pre-teens.
The Supporting Cast
Land Acknowledgement
The ground on which we stand, at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers, is home to the Seneca People. They called this area Jaödeogë’ (Jaonh day ō gent’), Between Two Rivers, the crossroads of the Seneca, Lenni Lenape, Shawnee, and numerous nations who lived before, with and after them.
These Peoples, along with other nations in the Haudenosaunee (Hoe-dee-no-SHOW-nee) Confederacy, stewarded the land of this greater region; and like other First Nations across North America, their spiritual roots are buried deep within Mother Earth. We acknowledge this land and their continued spiritual connection to it as sacred.
We must also recognize the painful destruction of this connection and the injustices perpetrated on Native Communities through broken treaties and colonial occupation, resulting in enslavement, cultural genocide, forced assimilation, and dissolution of their right to independent self-governance.
Through awareness and action, we can write a new history that honors First Peoples’ spiritual connection to the land and combats Indigenous erasure, systemic racism and continued marginalization. We invite you to join us in action. Insightful information can be found at https://americanindian.si.edu and our website: https://ppt.org
This statement was crafted in collaboration with Dr. Joe Stahlman (Ska:ru:re), Ja:no’s Bowen (Onöndowa’ga:’), and Jamie Jacobs (Onöndowa’ga:’).
Commitment to Racial Justice
Health and Safety
Union Information
The Actors and Stage Manager employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
The scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers in LORT Theatres are represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE.
This Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, and The National Theatrical Labor Union.