The Importance of Being Earnest
at Chantilly High School

Reviewed on April 17, 2021

Jack Child
Falls Church High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Are you fascinated by the lives of 19th century English aristocrats? Do you enjoy classic farces, complete with overbearing parents and double identities? Do you hate the name "Jack?" If so, you're in for a Wilde ride at Chantilly High School's The Importance of Being Earnest!

Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest explores the crisscrossed lives of friends Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing, who assume alter egos for social and romantic reasons. The play premiered in London in 1895, and its popularity has eclipsed any other of Wilde's plays. Its cleverness, satisfying resolution, and witty satire of Victorian high society have charmed generations of readers and secured a place for it in the world of English literature. Chantilly presented the first 30 minutes of its full-length production of The Importance of Being Earnest, but this limited time was still more than enough for the students to shine.

At the heart of Chantilly's play was remarkable acting from the cast. Every actor demonstrated sophistication and talent in their detailed performances. Lila York's portrayal of Lady Bracknell, the snobby mother of Worthing's fianceé, was extremely energetic, with unwavering accent work and overexaggerated inflection. York clearly understood the role she was playing and the show she was in; her manner of speaking was exactly what is expected from a farce. Maura Pelczynski, in the role of Algernon, also made her mark. Pelczynski brought an air of confidence, a trait well suited for her cynical character who thought he knew best. Rounding out the core cast were lovers Jack and Gwendolen, played respectively by Aidan Ramee and Emily McGinley. Ramee masterfully encapsulated his character's nervousness, first when hiding a secret from Algernon and then when preparing to propose to Gwendolen. Hesitations, glances, and stutters all found a place in Ramee's toolbox, and they all felt natural and authentic in execution. McGinley also showed off her acting chops with a comfortability that clearly communicated the time she had put into the show. This couple also impressed with their stage business. While Algernon and Lady Bracknell were conversing, Ramee and McGinley stayed sharply in character, which is no easy feat while filming alone at home. The actors in The Importance of Being Earnest effortlessly brought Wilde's words and characters to life, becoming the socialites they were cast as.

Like any show, Chantilly's The Importance of Being Earnest could not have found its success without strong technical elements. Most remarkable was stage management by Stephi Shraga and Molly Shear. They gave cues to actors on standby to join the Google Meet call the show was recorded on. The precision with which actors made their entrances was incredible, and it's owed to the endeavors of these two backstage workers. Small visual details also made for excellent touches. The name displayed on each of the actors' Google Meet squares was that of the character, and they also had profile pictures which corresponded to their roles. Additionally, the actors all had the same image in the background of their frame. This clarified that the characters were interacting with each other in the same room and created a sense of cohesion.

The Importance of Being Earnest at Chantilly High School did justice to the classic script. Although only 30 minutes were presented at this special preview, the performance promised a full-length show just as fun and immersive. The "earnest" work of Chantilly's students paid off!

Paris Devlin
Falls Church High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Chantilly High School's The Importance of Being Earnest provided the unequivocal answer to those missing the energy brought forth by the stage in these less than ideal times. With a well-rounded cast of actors and actresses putting forth explicit attention to detail and character work, The Importance of Being Earnest is sure to thaw even the coldest of theatre critics' hearts.

The play follows two protagonists, the bored and the wealthy Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing as they attempt to court their beloveds. With a fantastical narrative farce that draws us into the unyielding standards of the wealthy Victorian era, it asks us to look beneath the tailored coattails of the world's inhabitants and into the motivations and dreams of its protagonists.

The entire show was done in one take, an impressive feat when taking into account the possible limitations of virtual acting. If it was a challenge for the performers to master, they hid it well. Special attention was taken to the continuity of prop placement, giving the illusion of movement throughout the show. Stage managers Stephi Shraga and Molly Shear perfected seamless scene transitions and sound cues, allowing further immersion for the audience. It was easy to forget the actors were not in the same room together. Each actor was clearly engrossed in the story, reacting and remarking with exceptional speed and congruence with the rest of their performers while showcasing a professionalism above their age.

Maura Pelczynski in the role of Algernon brought immediate legitimacy to her character, evoking so much energy and wit into the small screen. She performed with the practiced ease of someone twice her age. As Algernon pulled Jack into the high staked refinery of the upper echelon in Victorian society, they magnetized the audience with their humor and sophistication. Perfectly toeing the line between disinterest and vapid curiosity Pelczynski never faulted in her performance, showing full investment to her character. Jack Wolff as Lane, their butler and right-hand man, held a quiet sort of observant ingenuity next to the flamboyant Algernon.

Charisma and chemistry were on full display between Aidan Ramee and Emily McGinley in the roles of Jack and Gwendolen respectively. Ramee wonderfully captured the hapless pining of Jack, endowing his performance with an underlying charm that immediately drew him sympathetically into the unfolding story. McGinley showed remarkable class and elegance, demonstrating Gwendolen's well-read vocabulary while never compromising her character's more frivolous convictions.

Lila York as the opulent Lady Bracknell added immensely to the comicality and refinement of her character. Bracknell's pretentious beliefs encapsulated the rigorous standards of upper-class Victorian society, while still allowing for levity and spectacle in her interpretation.

Chantilly High School's The Importance of Being Earnest brought us into the high staked world of Victorian society. With a cast of self-concerning characters delivering a pointed satire regarding the priorities of the wealthy, they were able to create an ensemble of captivating farce that will resonate with all classes.

Elizabeth Vichness
W. T. Woodson High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

Could we offer you delicious cucumber sandwiches? Or perhaps you are craving a cast of dramatic characters? Maybe you are hungry for a small taste of the farcical nature of the Victorian era? If so, Chantilly High School's production of The Importance of Being Earnest served up a delectable dish of drama and humor.

Set in Victorian England, Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest followed the adventures of Jack Worthing as he attempted to gain his beloved's hand in marriage. However, Jack had a secret. While everyone in the country knew him as Jack, in the city he went by a different name, Ernest. This dual identity, initially invented as an escape from his responsibilities, engendered an environment prime for perplexity, miscommunication, and, of course, humor as he interacts with the numerous characters of high society.

A small sneak peek of the first thirty minutes of The Importance of Being Earnest by Chantilly was more than enough time to reveal the comical nature of the production. Despite being filmed completely virtually, the period accurate virtual backgrounds and the complete dedication of the cast allowed the production to feel cohesive despite the format.

Additionally, the entire cast was spot on. Maura Pelczynski fit the role of Algernon like a glove. Her portrayal of the character was effortlessly jolly and endearing. Emily McGinley's portrayal of Gwendolen (the woman Jack Worthing desires to marry) was exceptionally charming as she expressed her unyielding love for Ernest/Jack. All of the actors impressively maintained consistent British accents throughout the scene. On top of that, Lila York's (played the role of Lady Bracknell) swooning speeches and dramatized expressions to Aidan Ramee's (played the role of Jack/Ernest) flip flopping emotions and eager demeanor all served to highlight the pretentiousness of upper-class Victorian society.

Originally screen recorded on Google Meets in one continuous and unedited take, a huge portion of credit of the production's success is attributed to the production team. Calling cues in real time, the stage management team, Stephi Shraga and Molly Shear, managed the show's sound cues, communication regarding the cast's entrances and exits, and were constantly monitoring the production in case of any technical issues. Furthermore, Chantilly's publicity team (Sheershika Mittapally, Sujay Khona, as well as the entire cast) promoted the production through images on social media and created a production image that fully encapsulated the nature of the show.

The Importance of Being Earnest may have been a tall order, but Chantilly High School delivered a delicious appetizer in this snippet of their delightful and farcical production, leaving the audience craving more.

Katie Wood
Centreville High School
Submitted for publication to Patch (Fairfax/Alexandria)

Take a peek into the scandalous lives of upper-class Victorians in Chantilly High School's witty production of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. A historical show included in the school's English curriculum that was ironically done using modern technology. As a dauntingly long production to produce in virtual times, the cast and crew of The Importance of Being Earnest showed significant stamina and teamwork by performing it live in one take over Google Meet.

The developed and contrasting relationships between various characters were the peak of comedy and romance displayed in Chantilly's production. Longtime friends, Algernon (Maura Pelczynski) and Ernest/Jack (Aidan Ramee) playfully conversed over topics of love, marriage, and even Ernest's scandalous secrets. Revealing a different side of Ernest was his love story with Gwendolen, played by Emily McGinley. Ramee and McGinley had notable chemistry as the play's lovers, emotionally speaking while professing their undeniable love for each other regardless of the secrets that Gwendolen was blind to.

A convincing upper-class Victorian, Lila York portrayed Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen's mother. York created a vibrant energy in her scenes, her exuberant facial expressions and strong British accent never faltering. An asset to her castmates, she created an entertaining contrast in personality to others. Another standout was Aidan Ramee, who played Earnest. He had the heavy responsibility of conversing with all characters, flipping quickly between a large range of emotions. Present constantly, he impressively stayed in character for the show's entirety. Even when not directly in the conversation, Ramee connected with the ongoing story through his natural mannerisms and fitting reactions. Rounding out the cast was Jack Wolff as Lane, Algernon's butler. Wolff quickly and skillfully popped in and out of scenes, enhancing the humor of the show with his silent facial reactions and tag team comedy with Algernon.

The cast and crew were committed to keeping the historical essence of the show in numerous ways, including costuming and scenery. With the collaboration of the cast, each costume displayed the character in unique and individualized ways. Without distracting from the acting, the costuming was a large factor that contributed to the overall accurate rich Victorian era feeling that the show gave off. Clever use of virtual backgrounds furthered the environment of the production by making it clear that the story was taking place in one room, making it look like the characters were all together in an upper-class home.

Stephi Shraga and Molly Shear's clean work as stage managers helped to make the production smooth and innovatively easy to follow. Although unseen to viewers, their sound cues and communication made sure that the actors were able to know exactly when to come in and out of a scene. Additionally, to actively promote the show, Chantilly's publicity team, Sheershika Mittapally and Sujay Khona, created a colorful show image that embodied the performance and shared it out with the additional support of the cast through social media.

Possibly the most astonishing part of the show was how much attention to detail could be observed throughout. The movement of handing a plate to another actor would be considered simple during an in-person production, but in order for it to be realistic in a virtual environment, it took thought and skill. The cast and crew showed just that with their every interaction, making it look effortless.

With drama, secrets, passion, and lots of laughter, Chantilly High School's cast of The Importance of Being Earnest displayed dedication and skill in their craft to create a charming and lively show.

Cecily Rood
Herndon High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Wealth was power and marriage was simply an economic proposition in the Victorian Era. In a world where money was vital to maintain a reputation and societal standards were expected to be met, it was easy to lose hold of honesty and earnestness.

The Importance of Being Earnest, a play written by Oscar Wilde, debuted at London's St. James Theatre in 1895 and follows the story of Jack "Ernest" Worthing as he attempts to live a double life due to the crippling weight of societal standards. While holding up a mask of high class may seem easier to Jack at first, the collision of his double life with the prospect of marriage causes a train wreck of complications and falsehoods. Wilde's dramatic and farcical take on the Victorian upper class and the chaos that comes along with it has held up over the past hundred years, and Chantilly High School's brilliant performance of The Importance of Being Earnest goes on to prove just that.

Aidan Ramee played his character (Jack "Ernest" Worthing) with sharpness and precise timing. His natural portrayal of Jack truly captured the intense calculation and quick wit that he required as Ramee's character, Jack, was also playing a character, Ernest. One of the largest contributions to this remarkable portrayal were his facial expressions and mannerisms, which were carefully calculated yet seemed effortless and natural all throughout the show. Sharply contrasting but seamlessly blending with Jack's character was Algernon, played by Maura Pelczynski. This gender-bent casting of Algernon was a new take on a classic character and only further drew out Algernon's comedy and quirks. Both actors showcased skillful pacing and timing, playing off one another with grace. Another actor who commanded the stage was Lila York as Lady Bracknell, who made a standout appearance and demanded everyone's attention starting from the moment she joined the scene. York's clear stage presence and bold character choices created a hilariously dramatic personality.

Even with all of the talent that this cast held, no show can be complete without the help of a publicity team! Sheershika Mittapally, Sujay Khona, and the rest of the cast all joined together to create a production image and a trailer, both of which were posted on Chantilly Drama's Instagram account to promote their show. The work of the stage managers could not go unnoticed either as Stephi Shraga and Molly Shear helped to weave together some of the most important aspects of the show. The timing of every sound cue and the entrance of every character was carefully planned and carried out perfectly, which helped create seamless transitions throughout the production.

Chantilly High School's cast and crew packed a whole lot of love and character into this show and managed to create an authentic piece of comedy and art. Oscar Wilde's classic was carried out gracefully by this team of thespians and transformed into a production that stayed true to the original while still being beautifully unique. Chantilly's rendition has shown us the importance of criticizing our society, the importance of humor, and of course, the importance of being earnest.

Meena Megahed
Herndon High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Class warfare, Victorian culture, and good old-fashioned love. "The Importance of Being Earnest" tells the whimsical story of two bachelors who create and hide behind fake personalities, both under the name of Ernest, in search of some excitement in their otherwise dull lives. When they begin to mix up what is real life or their whimsical alias' lives, the pair runs into a myriad of problems that show their creation of Ernest only led the gentlemen into situations that were anything but.

Written by the notable Oscar Wilde in 1894, The Importance of Being Earnest has garnered a large amount of praise and attention. Although written over a century ago, the quirky characters and edge-of-your-seat plot twists have proven this show an enduring classic, and it has been awarded multiple accolades and made into a film. The Importance of Being Earnest is no simple show to take on, but the cast at Chantilly High School proved themselves capable as they perfectly executed the complexity of the show's characters and genius wit into an exceptional performance!

Leading this trivial comedy is the dynamic duo of Algeron and Jack (played by Maura Pelczynski and Aidan Ramee, respectively). Although not physically together, Pelczynski and Ramee brought a wonderful chemistry to the screen that held the perfect balance of chaos and love. Perfectly encapsulating the characters, Pelczynski and Ramee skillfully delivered a satirical performance together and maintained a captivating energy through the entirety of the performance. Playing the character of Lady Bracknell with the melodramatic attitude it demands, Lila York left the audience in fits of laughter with her comedic arrogance heightened by her perfect timing and hilarious screech. As a cast, Chantilly brought the (virtual) house down with their hysterical chemistry with one another and admirable characters that left you smiling from beginning to end.

A show is never complete without their crew! Stage managers Stephi Shraga and Molly Shear proved that the virtual world of theatre was no challenge for them when it came to behind the scenes. The matching backgrounds given to each actor created an immersive and realistic experience for the audience and made the viewer feel as though they were in the room with the cast watching the hectic happenings of the play unfold right in front of you. The use of props was also skillfully cued by Shraga and Shear as the cast made it look like they were passing objects to each other through the screen. Regardless of the online format, the crew mastered the tech aspects of this show and made it an engaging experience for all.

Small but mighty, the cast of The Importance of Being Earnest at Chantilly High School cleverly mirrored the perpetuated, rich Victorian characters and society the play presents. Through creative choices, humorous and perfected dialogue, and a talented cast and crew, Chantilly High School pulled off this timeless show seamlessly!