PACE — Dave Cook is taking on the challenge of directing Oscar Wilde’s classic play, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” for the Panhandle Community Theatre.
Whether by acting, directing or working behind the scenes, Cook is no stranger to theatre.
Here, he takes the time to answer a few questions about the PCT’s upcoming show.
What is your theatre background?
“I have directed (a lot) of drama plays at Olive (Baptist Church) and musicals. I have basically been working with children most of the time. This is probably my first time working with an all adult cast. I did a play with the Santa Rosa Arts and Culture Foundation. The last thing I directed was the ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ about five years ago. This is probably my biggest solo I have done, because I am responsible for everything.”
This production consists of both experienced and inexperienced actors. Has this created a challenge?
“Sometimes it can be a challenge and sometimes it can be a blessing. Sometimes (young performers) will be so frightened, they will listen to everything you say (as a director), because they do not want to mess up. Then, there are some that will not listen to you at all, because they have no experience and no discipline.”
“We have trained (the more inexperienced actors) as we have gone along (in practice) and they have done extremely well. They are still getting a lot of butterflies (in their stomachs), but they are getting their lines.”
Any difficulties with the play?
“My difficulty is that I did not know the story. I have heard of Oscar Wilde, but I have never read the play. This was my first experience of taking a play that I knew nothing about and doing my homework.”
Due to the setting and time period this play takes place in, has that presented a challenge to the cast?
“They developed in the character well and they got the English accents for the most part — better than what I could ever do. In fact, they came in (to practice) with the accents because many were already familiar with the play from high school.”
What should audiences expect out of this latest performance from the PCT?
“Laughter, sadness, betrayal, rejection… there is some mystery in there. It’s a real neat plot.”
WANT TO GO?
Panhandle Community Theatre’s production of “The Importance of Being Earnest” is scheduled for July 28-31 and Aug. 4-7 at 4646 Woodbine Road in Pace. Showtimes on Thursdays through Saturdays are 7:30 p.m.; Sunday matinees start at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15, $12 on Thursdays. Call 221-7599 or visit panhandlecommunitytheatre.com for reservations.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: PCT director discusses “Importance of Being Earnest”