The Importance of Being Earnest
at La Habra High School

Reviewed on February 7, 2015

JeanneAnn Faris
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

"The Importance of Being Earnest" at La Habra is true entertainment

When a young man's desire to marry his true love is thwarted by another man's folly, an entire story of deceit, sisterhood, and one too many cucumber sandwiches is unveiled. As these two men use their alter egos to charm their love interests, they come to find that the only way to real love is through telling the truth.

John Worthing (Tanner Robinson) and Algernon Moncrief (Jake Garberg) come together to create one uproariously contrasting duo. Garberg's endlessly entertaining facial expressions, from flashing a devilish smile to pouting his lip, only make Robinson's enraged reactions all the more hilarious. Lady Bracknell (Joe Alvarez) brings a dignified, pompous, and deceivingly feminine presence to the stage with his disapproving glare and chin up in the air. Gwendolen (Daisy Pacheco) is the snooty daughter whose range is on full display from sweet and flirty to outraged and disgusted. From batting her eyelashes while clutching her arms over her chest, to covering her mouth in shock or reaching straight for her lover's hand, Cecily Cardew (Zoya Martin) brings a new, unique dynamic to a classic stereotype. Miss Prism (Alissa Schoemann) relentlessly evokes laughter with her consistently silly accent and over-exaggerated reactions.

The technical elements, completely executed by students, work together seamlessly to create one coherent picture. The lighting (Sarah Cueto and Bryan Connolly) presents the theme of characterizing each of the three acts with a color: red, green, and white. Therefore the set (Michael Reehl), while each piece remains in the same spot, also reflected the change in color, along with the costumes (Sarah Jan and Madeline Gray) that reflected the elegant Victorian time period but remained consistent with the color theme. The hair and make-up (Emily Taylor) successfully implements realistic and attractive wigs for the women and facial hair for the men. The Stage Management (Norma Mendoza) and Sound (Sara Cueto) display great skill as a team as the sound cues of birds chirping or vases smashing are called perfectly on time by the stage management. The Marketing and Publicity (Kendall Stephens) is both creative and eye-catching, also incorporating the three-color theme into its design.

This show will leave you with a smile on your face and a newfound sense of truth as you learn from the cast and crew what it really means to be earnest.

JeanneAnn Faris
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

"The Importance of Being Earnest" at La Habra is true entertainment

When a young man's desire to marry his true love is thwarted by another man's folly, an entire story of deceit, sisterhood, and one too many cucumber sandwiches is unveiled. As these two men use their alter egos to charm their love interests, they come to find that the only way to real love is through telling the truth.

John Worthing (Tanner Robinson) and Algernon Moncrief (Jake Garberg) come together to create one uproariously contrasting duo. Garberg's endlessly entertaining facial expressions, from flashing a devilish smile to pouting his lip, only make Robinson's enraged reactions all the more hilarious. Lady Bracknell (Joe Alvarez) brings a dignified, pompous, and deceivingly feminine presence to the stage with his disapproving glare and chin up in the air. Gwendolen (Daisy Pacheco) is the snooty daughter whose range is on full display from sweet and flirty to outraged and disgusted. From batting her eyelashes while clutching her arms over her chest, to covering her mouth in shock or reaching straight for her lover's hand, Cecily Cardew (Zoya Martin) brings a new, unique dynamic to a classic stereotype. Miss Prism (Alissa Schoemann) relentlessly evokes laughter with her consistently silly accent and over-exaggerated reactions.

The technical elements, completely executed by students, work together seamlessly to create one coherent picture. The lighting (Sarah Cueto and Bryan Connolly) presents the theme of characterizing each of the three acts with a color: red, green, and white. Therefore the set (Michael Reehl), while each piece remains in the same spot, also reflected the change in color, along with the costumes (Sarah Jan and Madeline Gray) that reflected the elegant Victorian time period but remained consistent with the color theme. The hair and make-up (Emily Taylor) successfully implements realistic and attractive wigs for the women and facial hair for the men. The Stage Management (Norma Mendoza) and Sound (Sara Cueto) display great skill as a team as the sound cues of birds chirping or vases smashing are called perfectly on time by the stage management. The Marketing and Publicity (Kendall Stephens) is both creative and eye-catching, also incorporating the three-color theme into its design.

This show will leave you with a smile on your face and a newfound sense of truth as you learn from the cast and crew what it really means to be earnest.

Katelyn Biberacher
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

La Habra High School Discovers "The Importance of Being Earnest"

When the lights dim in Pitlockry Hall at La Habra High School, the La Habra Theatre Guild takes the audience to a London estate where two men, John Worthing (Tanner Robinson) and Algernon Moncrief (Jake Garberg) conduct their own plans to find love, both dubbing themselves with the charming name, Earnest. In Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest", Mr. Worthing must gain the consent of Lady Bracknell (Joe Alvarez), Miss Gwendolen's (Daisy Pacheco) mother, in hopes of taking her as his wife. In the mean time, Algernon Moncrief deceives his love interest, Cecily (Zoya Martin). When Gwendolen and Cecily meet, they believe they are engaged to the same man. When the truth comes out, both couples argue but become reunited in the comical third act.

Main character Garberg uses sly smiles and a cheerful attitude to charm others. Robinson parallels Garberg's ability to express his emotions once while arguing over why Garberg is eating muffins. Robinson's use of flared nostrils, clenched fists, and narrow eyes to portray his anger towards Garberg contribute to the absurdity of the scene. Pacheco excellently uses high and low vocal inflections while Martin uses clasped hands to portray the nature of each girl's character.

The most comedic of them all, Joe Alvarez demands a stage presence like no other. While interviewing John, Alvarez's furious pen strokes off of his notebook creates a humorous display. Butlers Lane (Michael Reehl) and Merriman (Nathan Daraban) use sassy/attentive attitudes to create a memorable performance as well.

The collaboration of the set design (Michael Reehl), prop design (Austin Tebay) and costume design (Sarah Jan & Madeline Gray) is phenomenal because the orange/reds in act one, green in act two, and white in act three provide a visual that is pleasing to the eye. The makeup design (Emily Taylor) is admirably executed as displayed by Miss Prism's (Alissa Schoemann) old age makeup. It is also seen through the similar red blush shades of Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen, helping establish their relationship as mother and daughter. Sound design (Sara Cuento) and stage management (Norma Mendoza) also collaborate perfectly during act three when John runs upstairs. The chaotic sounds of him knocking things over end and begin in sync with the actors' responses to the commotion.

La Habra High School takes "The Importance of Being Earnest" to new heights.

Katelyn Biberacher
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

La Habra High School Discovers "The Importance of Being Earnest"

When the lights dim in Pitlockry Hall at La Habra High School, the La Habra Theatre Guild takes the audience to a London estate where two men, John Worthing (Tanner Robinson) and Algernon Moncrief (Jake Garberg) conduct their own plans to find love, both dubbing themselves with the charming name, Earnest. In Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest", Mr. Worthing must gain the consent of Lady Bracknell (Joe Alvarez), Miss Gwendolen's (Daisy Pacheco) mother, in hopes of taking her as his wife. In the mean time, Algernon Moncrief deceives his love interest, Cecily (Zoya Martin). When Gwendolen and Cecily meet, they believe they are engaged to the same man. When the truth comes out, both couples argue but become reunited in the comical third act.

Main character Garberg uses sly smiles and a cheerful attitude to charm others. Robinson parallels Garberg's ability to express his emotions once while arguing over why Garberg is eating muffins. Robinson's use of flared nostrils, clenched fists, and narrow eyes to portray his anger towards Garberg contribute to the absurdity of the scene. Pacheco excellently uses high and low vocal inflections while Martin uses clasped hands to portray the nature of each girl's character.

The most comedic of them all, Joe Alvarez demands a stage presence like no other. While interviewing John, Alvarez's furious pen strokes off of his notebook creates a humorous display. Butlers Lane (Michael Reehl) and Merriman (Nathan Daraban) use sassy/attentive attitudes to create a memorable performance as well.

The collaboration of the set design (Michael Reehl), prop design (Austin Tebay) and costume design (Sarah Jan & Madeline Gray) is phenomenal because the orange/reds in act one, green in act two, and white in act three provide a visual that is pleasing to the eye. The makeup design (Emily Taylor) is admirably executed as displayed by Miss Prism's (Alissa Schoemann) old age makeup. It is also seen through the similar red blush shades of Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen, helping establish their relationship as mother and daughter. Sound design (Sara Cuento) and stage management (Norma Mendoza) also collaborate perfectly during act three when John runs upstairs. The chaotic sounds of him knocking things over end and begin in sync with the actors' responses to the commotion.

La Habra High School takes "The Importance of Being Earnest" to new heights.

Sean Soper
Mater Dei High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

'Earnest' fun at La Habra High School

Old fashioned English wit is alive and well at La Habra High School in their production of "The Importance of Being Earnest." The play chronicles the adventures of two bachelors searching for love amidst mistaken identity, allthewhile finishing in time for tea. When two English gentlemen fall in love with two different women but claiming to be the same person, farcical chaos ensues. The presentational and exaggerated approach to the Oscar Wilde comedy is wildly successful, filled with elaborately designed costumes and stage pieces.

Leading the production are Tanner Robinson and Jake Garberg, playing the clever John Worthing and mischevious Algernon Moncrief, respectively. Robinson memorable performance is highlighted in the scenes in which he gets overly exasperated, effectively using hand gestures and vocal intonations to incite laughter. Likewise, Garberg's flamboyant and delightful Algernon serves as a perfect contrast to Worthing. Garberg remains engaged on stage throughout through hilarious facial expressions to the audience, expressing his true inner thoughts.

The female love interests of these gentlemen are played by Daisy Pacheco (Gwendolen) and Zoya Martin (Cecily). Pacheco's over-exaggerated hand gestures are perfectly hilarious in her scenes with Robinson. Likewise, Martin makes effective use of her posture and movements, signifying the lightheartedness of her character by walking as if she's being carried by the wind.

As a whole, this ensemble of well seasoned actors should be commended for their dedication to their characters. All of the crisp Bristish accents are distinct and consistent throughout, a feat that is difficult for most. Joe Alvarez, playing Lady Bracknell, is a prime example of this, being the comedic high point of the evening. Alvarez's standout performance as Gwendolen's domineering mother is hilarious because of his distinct vocal choices and comedic timing.

As for tech elements, the eleaborate set designed fashioned by Michael Reehl parallels the presentational approach to the play. Each of the three acts has a unique color scheme, such as red, green, and cream colors. And although the furniture changes changes completely between acts, it should be commended that the general layout of the pieces remains consistent, providing for smooth transitions between acts.

As a whole, La Habra High School's ensemble of dedicated actors shine in this brilliant production of the classic comedy through exaggerated storytelling and inspired design elements, making for a perfectly incomparable night of laughter.

Sean Soper
Mater Dei High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

'Earnest' fun at La Habra High School

Old fashioned English wit is alive and well at La Habra High School in their production of "The Importance of Being Earnest." The play chronicles the adventures of two bachelors searching for love amidst mistaken identity, allthewhile finishing in time for tea. When two English gentlemen fall in love with two different women but claiming to be the same person, farcical chaos ensues. The presentational and exaggerated approach to the Oscar Wilde comedy is wildly successful, filled with elaborately designed costumes and stage pieces.

Leading the production are Tanner Robinson and Jake Garberg, playing the clever John Worthing and mischevious Algernon Moncrief, respectively. Robinson memorable performance is highlighted in the scenes in which he gets overly exasperated, effectively using hand gestures and vocal intonations to incite laughter. Likewise, Garberg's flamboyant and delightful Algernon serves as a perfect contrast to Worthing. Garberg remains engaged on stage throughout through hilarious facial expressions to the audience, expressing his true inner thoughts.

The female love interests of these gentlemen are played by Daisy Pacheco (Gwendolen) and Zoya Martin (Cecily). Pacheco's over-exaggerated hand gestures are perfectly hilarious in her scenes with Robinson. Likewise, Martin makes effective use of her posture and movements, signifying the lightheartedness of her character by walking as if she's being carried by the wind.

As a whole, this ensemble of well seasoned actors should be commended for their dedication to their characters. All of the crisp Bristish accents are distinct and consistent throughout, a feat that is difficult for most. Joe Alvarez, playing Lady Bracknell, is a prime example of this, being the comedic high point of the evening. Alvarez's standout performance as Gwendolen's domineering mother is hilarious because of his distinct vocal choices and comedic timing.

As for tech elements, the eleaborate set designed fashioned by Michael Reehl parallels the presentational approach to the play. Each of the three acts has a unique color scheme, such as red, green, and cream colors. And although the furniture changes changes completely between acts, it should be commended that the general layout of the pieces remains consistent, providing for smooth transitions between acts.

As a whole, La Habra High School's ensemble of dedicated actors shine in this brilliant production of the classic comedy through exaggerated storytelling and inspired design elements, making for a perfectly incomparable night of laughter.