*** The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.***

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

Eric Jensen’s Director’s Notes:

One thing that every professor told me when I was studying this play, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, at Utah State University and at BYU was that this was the quintessential play highlighting wit and manners of the Victorian Era. Every time I read the play and studied it or wrote papers on it, my understanding grew of the complexity of Victorian etiquette. 

I have always wanted to produce this play and see if I could bring it up to more current rhythms of comedy. So I took it upon myself to push the boundaries of modern day humor and marry them with antiquated Victorian manners. Having the opportunity to write an adaptation has been filled with challenges but tons of rewards. This has been quite a journey, and I am happy that we are able to bring this show back. I think what we’ve come up with is absolutely hilarious and a new way of looking at Oscar Wilde’s timeless story. 

One of the central focuses of Victorian drama was to highlight the upper class and the elders who had snobby attitudes. But playwrights would largely leave the servants alone. I always thought the servants could be very interesting… so I decided to focus a little more attention on them. I love physical comedy, so whenever possible, I tried to punch up that aspect of this production. I think the result has been something that is fun for the whole family. People with different tastes will agree it is delightful. 

These are some of the most talented and dedicated actors who have been willing to trust my artistic direction, and they have added their magic to the show. I feel so fortunate to be able to live my dreams with the support of my wife, Sandy, my son, Austinn, and the amazing OBT Board of Trustees who’ve been essential to the success of our theatre. Thank you to our fans for your support! Sit back and enjoy this production. The gift of laughter is possible because of patrons like you!

CAST BIOS

George Anderson as Lane/Lowell Merriman

George is excited to return to the OBT stage after a nice long break from theater. He was last seen as Mr. Krabs in SpongeBob the Musical and was thrilled that his wife, Holly directed the show! He hopes you will all be able to sit back and enjoy this wonderful British farce filled with fun and laughter. Love to his wife and daughter for their support!

Jessica Benson as Lady Bracknell

Jessica is thrilled to play the iconic role of Lady Bracknell! In this extra hilarious OBT production she feels particularly able to be super silly. She feels lucky to be in this show with her IRL partner, Matthew Davids. At the OBT you most recently saw them as Rizzi and K’nicklaus in Greece is the Word. Other favorite roles for Jess include Drowsy Chaperone in The Drowsy Chaperone, and Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd.

Emie Cameron as Gwendolen Fairfax

This is Emie’s first time working with OBT. She has been a long-time fan and somewhere in the ocean of her mother’s photo gallery there is a photo of her with Eric Jensen’s Count Dracula on her 13th birthday. What a nerd! Some of her past roles include Graffiti Pete in In The Heights and Necking ensemble member in All Shook Up. She is currently working on getting her master’s degree in anthropology with a minor in folklore. You heard her, she’s a nerd. Love you, mom!

Lily Cameron as Gwendolen Fairfax

This is Lily’s first show with OBT! Her recent projects include Hero in Much Ado about Nothing and Teddy Belmont (kleptomaniac dancing fork) in Beauty and the Beast! Lily got pulled up on stage for a Laughing Stock production literally one single time her sophomore year and got a major confidence boost from it! She is so happy to be working with OBT this time and is hopeful for lots more shows in the future! I love you, mom!

Matthew Davids as John (Jack) Worthing/Algernon

Matthew is excited to be back at the OBT for his 11th show! He was last seen here as Speed in the Odd Couple. Some of his favorite roles include Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, and Laertes in Hamleton. He’s had a fondness for British farce ever since seeing “A Bit of Fry and Laurie.” Performing as both Earnests has been a wonderful surprise and adventure.

Élise Hansen as Miss Prism

When Élise isn’t acting, she is a theatre producer, director, and playwright. She is happy to work with her friend and mentor Eric Jensen, who taught her a ton about how to pull off fun, creative theatre by the skin of your teeth. Favorite roles include Ada Craven in Craven, Beatrice in Kill Claudio!, and Harper Pitt in Angels in America. This November, she will reprise the role of Hamlet ten years after playing him the first time.

Austinn Jensen as Algernon Moncrieff

Austinn is excited to reprise his role as Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest. He is grateful for the opportunity to work with his father and talented, funny, fellow actors. In his off time Austinn enjoys lifting heavy things, putting them down, and taking long walks to the fridge. He was last seen in The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical in Cottonwood Heights this summer. He performs in Laughing Stock on Saturday nights after the show! Favorite roles are Beast/Prince in Cutie and the Beast, Luke Singleswarder in Star Ward, Jack Chesney in Eric Jensen’s Charlie’s Aunt, and Hamlet in Hamleton. He hopes you enjoy this show full of Brits, beauty, and of course Bunburying!

Chuck Macdermott as Rector Canon Chasuble

After a dramatic hiatus filled with interpretive dance, cheese tasting, and light existential dread, Chuck MacDermott triumphantly returned to the OBT stage in 2024. Since then, he’s played the gloriously glittery Ozzy Manwell in The Scarlet Pimpernel: An Adaptation by Eric R. Jensen and the spiritually sassy Friar Tuck in Robyn Hood 2. Known for confusing props with snacks and entering scenes slightly too early, Chuck brings chaotic joy to every show. He dedicates his performances to Shelle, who keeps him humble…and stylish.

Aimee McPhie as Miss Prism

Aimee is thrilled for the opportunity to bring Miss Prism to life in The Importance of Being Earnest. She thoroughly enjoyed this show the last time she saw it on the OBT stage. Aimee has brought multiple characters to life with the OBT, and has had a blast with each and every one. She will always say, “Performing with the OBT is always a guaranteed good time.” Outside of theater, Aimee is growing her career as a mental health therapist, engaging in hobbies, or just hanging out with family, friends, or her two cats… She has also been spending time perfecting her first original script and aspires to bring it to a stage one day.

Dominique Morrison as Cecily Cardew

Dom is THRILLED to be back at OBT! It has always been a girlish dream of hers to play Cecily Cardew. Dom has a BFA in acting from Utah Valley University. Her favorite past theatre credits include Kitty in Charlie’s Aunt and Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank. You can also find her performing with the all-female improv troupe, That’s What She Said. Dom wants to thank her boyfriend and family for their support!!!

Karlie Parrish as Cecily Cardew

Karlie is so excited to be returning as Cecily! She was last seen as Ophelia in Hamlet at the Sanctuary Theatre. This is her sixth show with the OBT. Favorite roles include Leglass in Lore of the Rings, Johanna in Sweeney Todd, and Shelly in the regional premiere of Evil Dead. When she’s not performing, you can find her spending time with her extremely cute dog, Cosette, or running her business, Live Your Dreams Parties.

Hunter Smith as John (Jack) Worthing

Hunter returns for his sixth show with OBT! You might have seen him as Dino in Greece Is the Word or Heinrich in Dracula vs. Henry Botter. He still doesn’t know if this is a hobby, a lifestyle, or just a weird coping mechanism, but either way he’s happy to be back on stage pretending to be someone else for your entertainment.

Alana Woodbury as Lady Bracknell

Alana is thrilled to embrace her inner snootiness and play Lady Bracknell. Some of her favorite performing credits include Phoebe D’ysquith in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Anita in West Side Story, and Lana Sherwood in It’s a Wonderful Life: Radio Play. Thank you to the wonderful cast and crew, and many profound thanks to her family for their unending support. 

CREW BIOS

Robbie Easton – Sound and Light Tech:

Robbie is so excited to work tech for The Importance of Being Earnest. Being his first opportunity to tech a show, he is thrilled to have the honor to run the show from behind the scenes. Prior to this, Robbie was an actor in many different OBT shows, such as Peta Pun and Seussical the Musical. More recently, Robbie was the stage manager for The Odd Couple. He now is ecstatic to add a new element of theatre to his wheelhouse.

Lee Wailes as the Stage Manager

Lee has been stage managing at the OBT for the last seven years. Some of the shows include Dracula vs. the Adamns Family, Star Ward in 2016 and 2020, and now reprising his role in The Importance of Being Earnest as body double and stage manager! OBT has given him a place to feel safe, a place where people cared, and a place to grow as a person. OBT shouldered his mistakes, clapped at his achievements, and gave him the chance to meet close friends that he feels he would have never otherwise met. He believes in the community and family Eric and Sandy Jensen have built these last 31 years.

David Bellis – Laughing Stock Improv Tech

David has been the sound and light tech at the OBT for many years. He has been the sound and light tech for many of our  productions and has been a steadfast tech for our improv shows. David works full-time and spends many of his weekends helping out at the OBT, keeping the laughter going. Thanks David!

Actober 3 – October 25

November 28 – December 20

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Clarence Strohn, trustee and chair
Jeff Driggs, trustee and vice chair
Brett Andersen, trustee and secretary
Bing Fang, trustee and past chair
Christopher Cheeney, trustee
Monte Garcia, trustee
Sandy Jensen, trustee
Anna Kennedy, trustee
Jim Morgan, trustee

OFFICERS

Eric R. Jensen, Co-Founder / Artistic & Technical Director
Sandy ThuyAnn Jensen, Co-Founder / Executive Director
Bing Fang, Chief Financial Officer
Kevin Hicks, Treasurer
Kelly Wideman, Marketing Director

CONSULTANTS

Aaron Bellis, consultant
Nic Brown, consultant
Austinn Jensen, consultant
Daniel Gillette, consultat

ERIC R. AND SANDY HUBBLE JENSEN’S BIOS

Eric and Sandy are co-founders of the Off Broadway Theatre and Laughing Stock improv comedy troupe. They have worked closely for some 30 years, dedicating much of their time to building and growing the Off Broadway Theatre. They have been married for over 30 years and have one son, Austinn, who has grown up acting in numerous OBT and other productions.

Eric, the artistic and technical director for the OBT, grew up in Murray, Utah. He received his bachelor’s degree in theater arts at the University of Utah and his master’s degree in secondary education at the University of Phoenix. As executive producer and lead playwright, director, set designer, costumer, actor, and improviser, he guides many aspiring talents at the OBT. He teaches improv classes while mentoring up-and-coming playwrights, directors, stage managers, and set designers. His acting, writing, and directing experience has also been featured at Desert Star, CenterPoint Legacy, Hale (both Orem and West Valley), and Egyptian theaters. He has taught and performed high school workshops and elementary school assemblies, as well as for some after school programs. Eric also teaches K – 6 as a fine arts specialist in the Davis School District, inspiring children to love theatre, music, dance, and all things art. Under Eric’s leadership, OBT won the Best Community Theatre award from the Utah Theatre Association in 2020, recognizing the quality of the theatre and Eric’s work with high schools and the community.

Sandy serves as the executive director of the theatre, as well as executive producer, box office manager, and social media specialist, with more than 30 years of experience in small business management. She has an extensive acting background, including the OBT, Hale Centre Theatre WVC, The Grand Theatre, Sundance Theatre, Salt Lake Acting Company, Pages Lane, and Stage Right Theater. Sandy continues to work tirelessly to grow volunteer opportunities at the OBT. She was born in Vietnam and has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, with endorsements in ESL, STEM, and Gifted. She teaches 1st grade in the Davis School District. She has earned two Presidential Awards for Volunteering and has been recognized in Who’s Who of America. 

The Off Broadway Theatre has been said to have a feel of “family,” and that’s because it is. Eric and Sandy’s mission has always been to provide a place where people can come together and make laughter ring true and provide a safe place to hone skills and develop friendships. Through the art of live performances, the theatre has reached many new friends, and its charitable outreach program has provided wonderful opportunities to serve our community. 

Eric and Sandy also co-founded Laughing Stock Improv and have performed together on the OBT stage as well as at corporate and school events. They are proud to have such a long-running improv show with some amazingly talented improvisers who have been with the company for a long time.

Thank you for your many years of support and patronage in Salt Lake City and Draper, and for following us here to the Alliance Theatre. Please continue to donate to help us forge another 30+ years of spreading laughter in Utah! Go to www.theOBT.org to donate today.