Published: Feb. 3, 2018
West Bend Theatre Co. presents Oscar Wilde’s comedy
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043
Rick Bingen repeatedly auditioned for shows in high school,
but came up empty. His disappointment lasted maybe a day.
“You just move on,” he said.
That’s what he did. Never was he deterred from giving
theater a try — a goal was accomplished during his sophomore year at Carthage
College in Kenosha.
He was cast in the school’s production of William
Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” and played a shepherd, Silvius.
“I was beyond excited that I was cast in the show and a
little bit nervous,” Bingen said. “There were plenty of actors in the show who
were upperclassmen who I had seen. I really respected them.”
Bingen’s involvement in theater rapidly grew from there to
where he will make his directorial debut with the newly formed West Bend
Theatre Co.’s production of “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The are 7:30 p.m.
shows Feb. 10, Feb. 15 and Feb. 17. Matinee performances are at 1 p.m. Feb. 11
and Feb. 18.
All shows are at Jug’s Hitching Post, 5781 N. Main St., West
Bend.
Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for students. Seating is
first-come, first-serve. A cash bar is available. In addition, all tickets
include a coupon for a discount on a dinner at Jug’s through Feb. 28.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the historic
downtown West Bend Theatre restoration project. That part was one reason why
Bingen and co-male lead Chris Jenkins wanted to be a part of the show.
“I grew up going to that theater myself,” Bingen said.
Jenkins, who plays Algernon Moncrieff, added, “I love the
historic downtown theater. I love that we’re trying to raise money to
revitalize that both as an alderman and as someone who lives in the city and
loves theater.”
“The Importance of Being Earnest” was written by Oscar Wilde
and was first performed in the late 1800s in London. Jenkins said the story
focuses on two friends — John (Jack/Earnest) Worthing, or J.P,. and Algernon.
Earnest is played by Rob Wagner.
“Earnest is more stuck up, by the book, while
Algernon is more flamboyant and in your face,” Jenkins said,
adding he likes playing roles of characters who have those traits. “The
character really spoke to me.”
Algernon learns that Earnest has been living a double life —
then admits he does the same thing.
“They’re using it as an excuse to either get away from their
family or their loved ones just to get away and use that other person as an
excuse,” Jenkins said.
But the story has an underlying theme, which is another
reason why Nancy Storrs, a co-creator of West Bend Theatre Co., wanted to do
“The Importance of Being Earnest.” She said ahead of the company’s debut
performance with “A Christmas Carol” in December, the company’s goal was to not
only raise money for local nonprofits, but also portray life lessons.
With “The Importance of Being Earnest,” there is the
underlying story of personal integrity.
Jenkins said he does about one show per year in the
community. His most recent show was “Murder on the Nile” by Musical Masquers.
Bingen was a technical worker for the show.
“I’ve worked with a lot of different directors and Rick is a
very laid back director, everything is going to fall into place,” Jenkins said.
Apparently, Bingen, who plays Lane and Merriman, has done a
good job of “acting.”
“I’m excited and nervous,” Bingen said about the upcoming
show. “I always get a little bit nervous when I get about a week out. I want
everything to be perfect for the first time (directing).”
Jenkins believes that won’t be a problem.
“The show was very well cast,” he said. “Definitely every
one of us who play the different roles … it’s really amazing how well we fit
for each parts. I think that plays well for chemistry and our interactions on
stage.”
Jenkins promises an entertaining and funny show.
“We’re a little all over the place,” he said with a smile.
“Listen carefully to the words. Oscar Wilde was a wordy guy. But all the words
are placed their intentionally and it adds to the comedy.”
The rest of the cast includes Sally Jude (Gwendolen
Fairfax), Sam Crevensten (Cecily Cardew), Beth Reichart (Lady Bracknell), Don
Pountain (Dr. Chasuble) and Angel Yako (Miss Prism).
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