Our 52nd Season and 248th Production!
The Importance of Being Earnest
by Oscar Wilde
Directed by Mel DeVito
September 5-14, 2025
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Synopsis
Oscar Wilde’s brilliantly clever comedic masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest, was once called “the only pure verbal opera in English.” Earnest tells the story of two young gentlemen in London, who each live a double-life, creating elaborate deceptions to find some balance in their lives. John Worthing escapes the burdens of responsibility to have an exciting life in the city, pretending to be his fictitious younger brother Ernest. Algernon Moncrieff, meanwhile, has invented a convenient invalid, Bunbury, whom he uses as an excuse to gallivant off to the country whenever he pleases. When John falls in love with Algernon’s cousin, Gwendolen, he is determined to come clean, but when Gwendolen reveals she can only love a man named Ernest, it somewhat complicates things. When Algernon discovers John’s secret and decides to visit John’s pretty little ward in the country, posing as the debauched “Ernest,” the situation gets entirely more complicated! Hijinks ensue, and the two gentlemen and their ladies are in for more than they ever anticipated when formidable Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen’s mother, begins sleuthing around to uncover the far-fetched truth. Oscar Wilde's brilliant comedy captures with wit and charm the absurdity and delight of the Victorian "age of surfaces" (as Lady Bracknell calls it,) while capturing the struggle of four passionate lovers trying to conform to expectations and, in the most roundabout and delightfully funny way possible, love who they wish and live how they want. |
SHOW CONTENT IS GENERALLY SUITABLE FOR TEENAGERS AND ADULTS.
Performance Dates & Times
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Friday, September 5, at 7:30 PM
Saturday, September 6, at 7:3o PM Sunday, September 7, at 2:30 PM |
Friday, September 12, at 7:30 PM
Saturday, September 6, at 7:3o PM Sunday, September 7, at 2:30 PM |
Purchase Tickets
Cast of Characters
Production Staff
Producer |
Beth Popplewell |
Director |
Mel DeVito |
Assistant Director |
Connie Salvini Thompson |
Scenic Design |
Susanne Bush |
Costume Design |
Cathy Cuthsall |
Lighting Design |
Scout Dunlevy |
Stage Manager |
Denise Fort & Ariel "Rel" Laukins |
Wig Design |
Ben Jones |
Hair and Makeup Assistant |
Michael Morrow |
Cast Bios
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Aaron (ALGERNON) is thrilled to return to Buck Creek Players, having most recently appeared in Misery this past March. Previous Buck Creek credits include Vintage Hitchcock and Winnie the Pooh and the Christmas Tail. He is honored to share the stage tonight with such a talented cast and dedicated crew. When not performing, Aaron can usually be found watching movies, writing, or wrangling dogs at work. He is grateful for the opportunity to continue doing what he loves and extends a heartfelt thank-you to everyone supporting live theatre. Please come back soon—and often!
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Judy Lombardo (LANE/MERRIMAN) first fell in love with "Earnest" in a theatre class in college. She is thrilled to perform in one of her all time favorite plays. She last appeared at Buck Creek in "Barbecuing Hamlet" back in 2011. Since that time, she has performed all over central IN, fringe festivals in Chicago and Hollywood and at The Cape Playhouse. Thanks to Mel for this opportunity!
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Paige Scott (DR. CHAUSABLE) is delighted to be Bunburying around at Buck Creek Players after a 15 year hiatus. She was last seen re-animating a corpse in Frankenstein: The Musical. She is a multi-hyphenate performance artist, actor, director, and composer whose work has been circulated on the festival, regional and academic circuit. Recent stage credits: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Constellation Stage and Screen), The Minutes (American Lives Theatre), Twelfth Night, and her cabaret show "That's A Terrible Story. Why Would You Tell Me That?". She is the founder of Working Class Socialite which specializes in minimalist theater with an offbeat sophistication. Most recently her chamber pop play Enjoy This EP sold out it's limited engagement at the IndyFringe festival. Thank you for supporting live and local theatre! Proud member of Dramatist Guild. www.paigelizscott.com
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Tracy (MISS PRISM) is excited to debut at Buck Creek Players in one of her favorite plays! Tracy has had the great fortune to worked with American Lives Theatre, Betty Rage Productions, and Fonseca Theatre Company. Recent performances include "This Is Different" with Summit Performance. Tracy is excited to reunite with Brittany and Paige from "Ship of Dreams" with Working Class Socialite; also Ben and Connie from "Shart's Creek." Since 2012, Tracy has been an improvisor with ComedySportz Indianapolis. Off stage, you can find her putting items in and out of her Amazon shopping cart and learning about rugby on Tiktok.
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Amanda McCabe (JACK “EARNEST” WORTHING) is excited to return to Buck Creek Players after appearing as Ana Smith in The Book Club Play. New to the Indianapolis theater scene, she’s especially grateful to Buck Creek Players for not only giving her a place to perform, but also her very first friends in Indy! She’s loved every minute of working with this incredible cast and crew, and sends heartfelt thanks to Mel for her incredible passion and direction and to Connie for her sharp comedic eye (and legendary laugh!). When she’s not onstage, Amanda enjoys reading, writing, singing, and spending time with her husband Owen and their four spoiled pets. She looks forward to many more auditions around town. Stay tuned!
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BRITTANY MAGEE (GWENDOLEN FAIRFAX) is excited to be on the Buck Creek stage for the first time with this fabulous cast and crew! Other stage credits include working with American Lives Theatre, the IndyFringe Festival, Working Class Socialite, Defiance Comedy, Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre and Theatre Unchained. Thank you Mel and Connie for the opportunity, and thank you for supporting local theatre!
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Ben Jones (LADY AUGUSTA BRACKNELL) is thrilled to be stepping out from behind the production table once again this season and get back on-stage! Previously, Ben has directed BCP hit’s, such as: THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL, SORDID LIVES, LIZZIE BORDEN, and INTO THE WOODS. Some of his favorite credits include: Professor Baher in LITTLE WOMEN: THE MUSICAL, Cornelius Hackel in THE MATCHMAKER, Nicky Holroyd in BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE, Mr. Humphries in ARE YOU BEING SERVED and countless others. Ben is also proud to serve as the Vice President for the Buck Creek Players Board of Directors. By day, Ben is a proud theatre educator. Later this season, Ben is ready to embrace his inner Delta Nu and direct LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL here at BCP. Tons of love to cast, crew and the whole BCP family.
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Kielynn Tally (CECILY CARDEW) is thrilled for her debut with Buck Creek Players. Kielynn studied Theatre and Communication at the University of Indianapolis. After a three-year stage hiatus while she focused on her career in radio, along with film, improv, and voice acting, she is honored for this play to be part of her return to live theatre. As part of her rediscovering that love for stage this year, she is also blessed to have been Emily Webb in Franklin's Our Town Players' production of OUR TOWN, along with her roles as Harriett and Enid in AN EVENING WITH ALICE with 4th Wall Players. She would like to send all her love and appreciation to her family and friends who have and continue to help and support her.
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Production Staff Bios
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Mel DeVito (DIRECTOR) is happy to be back in the director's chair with this delightful farce. Her first time with a play by Oscar Wilde, she is enjoying the artistic freedom of a public domain play. Most recently Mel directed the Savannah Sipping Society at BCP, and has been active as a director, producer, props goddess, actress, etc for many years. When not at BCP, Mel enjoys her family, her fur baby Zoey, camping and drag racing, among other things.
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Connie Salivini Thompson (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR) A Martinsville resident, her previous roles include Tulsa in GYPSY at On-Stage Live! Cabaret, Jules/Ondine in BETWEEN THE LINES and Mrs. Kirk/Ensemble in LITTLE WOMEN: THE MUSICAL at Buck Creek Players, Rapunzel's Prince in INTO THE WOODS at Merry MAC Players, and Twyla in SHARTT'$ CREEK LIVE with Circle City Improv. She starred as the lead in IU student film PUPPY, releasing later this year. She can also be found making queer comedy with her Pinkslip Drag Improv family.
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Beth Popplewell (PRODUCER) is excited to be return behind the scenes at BCP, after previously appearing in SAVANNAH SIPPIN’ SOCIETY and running the lightboard for LITTLE WOMEN THE BROADWAY MUSICAL. Favorite productions at BCP include ROSIE THE RIVETER, (Evelyn) THE MATCHMAKER ,(Gertrude) A LITTLE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, (Angelina) and several BCP Play-A-Part Fundraiser shows, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, ANNIE, PETER PAN, AND ROCKY HORROR. Other favorite shows include OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MURDER (Minna) at Our Town Players, and THE WILD WOMEN OF WINEDALE (Glenda Bates) at Epilogue Theater. She was also the character of FRANKIE THE FRIENDLY WITCH at the Indianapolis Zoo for ZOO BOO. When not doing theater, she enjoys being "semi" retired, working part time for Gillespie Florists, and spending time with friends, family.
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Matthew Spurlock (SOUND DESIGNER) returns for another Buck Creek Players performance behind the scenes with Sound Design. Matt has been seen on stage at BCP in performances of BANANAS, THE MATCHMAKER, THE RAINMAKER, and MAKING GOD LAUGH. Other non-BCP performances include MISSING LINK and CLUE. Matt has designed sound for numerous BCP performances such as PYGMALION, DISASTER: THE MUSICAL, TRAP (Encore winner for Best Sound Design), and FOUR OLD BROADS, among several others over the years. Thanks to Mel DeVito for giving me an opportunity to continue doing what I love. A very special thank you to the audience for continuing to support live theatre as we do our best to be creative and bring you live entertainment.
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Scout Dunlevy (LIGHTING DESIGNER) returns for their fifth show with Buck Creek Players. When not working on shows here, he is spending his time as the Operations Assistant at the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre. In their free time, Scout works conventions, writes, and does aerial arts. He is looking forward to their future endeavors in the theatre world. Scout would like to thank their friends and anyone who deals with their daily chaos.
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Cathy Cutshall (COSTUME DESIGNER) is excited to be back at BCP to design costumes for this hilarious play. Whether working as a director, on stage or behind-the-scenes, Cathy has had the pleasure of working in theaters throughout Indiana and New Mexico at Albuquerque Civic Light Opera Association, and Albuquerque Little Theater. Favorite productions include SORDID LIVES, SWEENEY TODD, PARADE, HONK!, CITY OF ANGELS, ON THE TOWN, HELLO DOLLY, ANYTHING GOES, SINGING IN THE RAIN, SHENANDOAH, THE WIZARD OF OZ, CHICAGO, SOUTH PACIFIC, AND GYPSY. Cathy has had the pleasure of directing BETWEEN THE LINES MUSICAL, LITTLE WOMEN: THE MUSICAL, TRAP!, MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: LIVE RADIO PLAY, MAKING GOD LAUGH, and IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, A LIVE RADIO PLAY at Buck Creek Players, and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST at Shelby County Players. Up next, her sewing machine will be busy with designing costumes for our holiday production of Agatha Christie’s THE MOUSETRAP. “I’d like to thank my family for their constant love and support, and for letting me have time to play.”
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Susanne Bush (SET DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION) is thrilled to be working with Buck Creek Players again! Recently, she designed and built for last season’s thriller- MISERY and THE SECRET GARDEN at Hendricks Live. Susanne's second home is at the theatre. Some of her favorite shows she's been a part of are NOISES OFF, LIZZIE BORDEN, A CHRISTMAS STORY, MOON OVER THE BREWERY, and GAME'S AFOOT. She most recently won Encore Awards for her set decoration in LIZZIE BORDEN and GAME'S AFOOT. Susanne homeschools her two younger children, while her oldest is now off at college. She also loves to run and owns her own clothing resale business. She hopes you enjoy the show!
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Special Thanks
Thank you to Jacob Bush for assisting with set construction.
Help Support this Production
Tickets only cover a portion of the costs to produce this show.
Tickets only cover a portion of the costs to produce this show.
