Winter play returns to Gateway with 'The Importance of Being Earnest'

Gateway High School theater will perform “The Importance of Being Earnest” at the Robert A. Read Performing Arts Center this month.

The winter play returns after a three year hiatus.

“I had some students come to me last spring asking me to help make the winter play happen,” producer Mary Chase said. “And since play is another important aspect of the arts in the district, I was all for it.”

Chase was able to make it happen.

“After working with Principal Justin Stephans and Assistant Superintendent Dennis Chakey for approval last May, we are all excited to have the winter play reinstated in January,” Chase said.

In an attempt to put on the best performance while keeping costs down, the musical theater enlisted college students to assist with the Oscar Wilde play.

Heath Chase is an acting and film studies student at Slippery Rock University, while Rebecca Whealdon majors in acting at Point Park University.

They are serving as director and assistant director, respectively. And it seems fitting that the Gateway alum return to the stage to direct at their alma mater, since both acted in “Earnest” during their high school years.

“I feel honored to return to the place that bestowed upon me a love of theater,” Chase said. “Beyond the nostalgia, I am learning a lot from these talented students, and it is rewarding to watch them evolve on stage with this hilarious play.”

Every year, the alum also return to help Gateway Musical with summer theater camp, a collaboration of Gateway Musical and Monroeville Recreation Parks.

The “Earnest” cast includes 10 high schoolers, including Braeden Bungard, who is playing Jack Worthing.

“I have never been in a production where I’ve had this much fun, while working harder than ever,” Bungard said. “Heath keeps the momentum going in an engaging, yet professional way.”

Kennedy Edwards has been the musical’s stage manager since her freshman year, although this is her first opportunity to manage a play.

“I actually like this story a lot,” Edwards said. “I’m always excited to see everything come together from the actors bringing their characters to life, to seeing the set evolve and, of course, having a live audience.”

Performances are at 7 p.m. on Jan. 17 and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Jan. 18. General admission tickets are $12. Student and senior citizen tickets are $8.

Tickets can be purchased at the door at 3000 Gateway Campus Blvd. in Monroeville or at gatewaymusical.ludus.com.