The Importance of Seeing Cumberland Players

by Aidan Rowe

Cumberland Players’ 80th season is in full bloom with Oscar Wilde’s witty satire The Importance of Being Earnest. Admittedly, this was a play I was excited for since seeing the initial announcement and somehow, this cast and crew blew away my own expectations. You are met with a beautifully constructed and decorated set, curtains and drapes of teal and pink, with antique furniture that transports you straight to the heart of Victorian society. It is not up for debate that Set Designers and Constructors Robert Williamson, Michael Blandino, and Monica DiMauro breathed this era back to life. The Properties provided by Rachael Smith and the cast were complimentary. 

This is a play that keeps you ensnared with dialogue. Throughout the three scene changes, there is not a moment where attention is lost. It is well paced, cohesive, and keenly operated with no visible wrinkles, thanks to the efforts of Production Manager Rachael Smith and Intern Elliot Henry. Director Michael Blandino’s interpretation is from beginning to end effective and whole. Light and Sound Design from Rachael Smith with Operation from Elliot Henry is the smoothest I have seen from Cumberland Players thus far; every word was heard as clearly as it was delivered. 

There are many moving parts to create such a flawless production, but perhaps the strongest qualities here are the precise points of view, character work, and pure heart of an ensemble this talented. Algernon Moncrieff, portrayed by Tyler Davis, will leave you in stitches with his effortless delivery and bickering with Jack Worthing (Nicko Chryssomitis). I left the play hoping to have the same audacity of their characters. Tyler to a stage is like a duck to water, there was not a dull moment. 

In this play, Algernon and Jack realize they face a similar plight: deception in order to weasel out of societal obligations. Algernon has fabricated an ill friend named Bunbury that certainly takes up his time, in the case he wishes to avoid something. Jack has given himself a second identity, being known to all in town as an extravagant man named Earnest. In the countryside, he settles down as Uncle Jack to care for his young and beautiful ward Cecily Cardew (Allie Ferguson). All the while, telling them about his rebellious and morally bankrupt brother, Earnest. Allie was the picture of mischief and startling imagination. There is a privilege in watching Nicko Chryssomitis hilariously switching from Earnest to Jack, who both seem to be at wits end with each other.

The issue lies in the wishful proposal from Jack to Abgernon’s cousin, the self-assured Gwendolen Fairfax (Maura Mather Jarve). With Jack’s little secret revealed to Algernon, he decides to take the mantle of Earnest in the countryside as a ruse to meet Cecily - moments after Jack decides to announce his “brother” as dead. 

While Algernon himself does not give his consent for Jack to wed his cousin, perhaps no one disapproves of the union more than Gwendolen’s own mother Lady Bracknell, portrayed by Shaun Laurencio. I am thrilled to report, Shaun was seemingly born to play an intimidating matriarch. Every small detail was distinct and with flavor: body language, facial expressions (even when at rest), and even Lady Bracknell’s walk was excellence.  Maura Mather Jarve as Gwendolen had some of my biggest laughs, often feeling like a younger version of her mother. Watching her fleeting emotions and attachments, just to change her mind again, she remains so in control. She was spot on.

All of these characters are immensely entertaining to watch. Watching the alluring and ever so respectable Miss Prism (Bobbi Kukal) pine for Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D (Dan Safeer) at times had me trying to hide in my shirt. Merriman and Lane’s roles, both played by Robert Williamson, are brilliantly done. Anytime I saw a peek of Robert, I was ready to laugh at the physical comedy. 

They are so lived, plopped from a script to reality, which is made possible by the extraordinary work from costuming provided by Robert Williamson, Masquerade Ball, and the cast themselves. Stage manager Monica DiMauro and intern Michaela Miranda kept everything seamless. 

A huge thank you for having us and congratulations on the 80th anniversary at Cumberland Players! The Importance of Being Earnest ran from March 6th - 8th in Vineland, NJ.