The cast of “An Ideal Husband” pose for a photo during a rehearsal on May 19, 2019, at Pier One Theatre in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided)

The cast of “An Ideal Husband” pose for a photo during a rehearsal on May 19, 2019, at Pier One Theatre in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided)

Pier One season opens with Wilde play

First performed in 1893, ‘An Ideal Husband’ takes place at a London dinner party.

Along with king salmon fishing, the opening of shops on the Spit and school ending, add another sure sign of the start of summer: the first Pier One Theatre play of the season.

On Friday, Homer’s little red theater on the Spit features this year’s opening show, Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband.” The show continues Saturday and Sunday and May 30, 31 and June 1. Pier One has done several productions of Wilde’s well known “The Importance of Being Earnest,” but Pier One artistic director Jennifer Norton said she wanted to do a Wilde play equally witty but more serious.

“This one is a little bit more political,” she said. “It’s about a politician who has skeletons in his closet. He’s been mostly blame free throughout his political career. He did this one foolish thing in his younger days that’s coming back to haunt him.”

First performed in 1893, “An Ideal Husband” takes place at a London dinner party. It concerns Sir Robert Chiltern, a member of the House of Commons, played by Mike Tupper; his wife, Lady Chiltern, played by Adele Person; Sir Robert’s bachelor friend, Lord Arthur Goring, played by Connor Schmidt, and an unwelcome guest, Mrs. Chevely, the ex-fiance of Lord Goring, played by Alison Rambo.

Mrs. Chevely knows a dreadful secret about Sir Robert and how he earned his wealth. She blackmails him into supporting a fraudulent scheme. Meanwhile, Lady Chevely also seeks to win back Lord Goring’s affection.

“It’s about redemption, our imperfections, the folly of youth, the standards our political figures should be held to,” Norton said.

“An Ideal Husband” also presents several new actors to Pier One. Some have previously had small, nonspeaking roles, while for others this marks their Homer stage debut. One actor, Emily Munns, who plays Miss Mabel Chiltern, returns to Pier One 11 years after attending its summer Youth Theatre Camp. The play also features seasoned Pier One actors such as Peter Norton — Jennifer Norton’s father — and Brian Duffy. Laura Norton, Jennifer’s mother, directs the play, and Rachel Friedlander is the assistant director.

Along with “An Ideal Husband,” the first plays of the season are classic plays: Peter Clapham’s “Little Women,” showing in early June, and William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” While Pier One has had several Broadway musicals over the years, this year’s musical production is the Shakespeare, with songs of the era arranged and compiled by Susan Biggs. A small orchestra performs.

“It’s a musical; it’s just a small musical,” Norton said.

The second half of the Pier One season features more contemporary works. In July is Alan Ball’s “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress,” written in 1993 by the screenwriter who wrote “American Beauty” and created the television series “Six Feet Under” and “True Blood.”

In August, Pier One shows Steve Martin’s “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” and Kieran Lynn’s “Breaking the Ice.”

As in previous years, this summer also includes Youth Theatre productions. In early August is “The Jungle Book” and on June 20 and 21 is a Skills Camp showcase.

Also returning is Johnny B with his “Rhythm of the North” multimedia show on weekdays through the summer and Outrageous Jazz by Karen Strid-Chadwick and Friends on June 22 and 23.

For showtimes and prices, visit www.pieronetheatre.org. Shows are at 7:30 p.m., with tickets $15 general admission, $14 seniors, $13 Raven’s Club, $10 youth and $55 family. Tickets are on sale at the Homer Bookstore and on the Spit at Sea Lion Art & Lodging.

Reach Michael Armstrong at marmstrong@homernews.com.

More in Life

Photo #1.628 courtesy of the Seward Community Library Association
Dr. John Baughman’s wife, Mina (left), poses in this circa 1905-10 photo with Mrs. E.E. Hale on a Seward city sidewalk near the Alaska Central Railroad and Seward’s first school.
Dr. Baughman’s Unusual Second Job, Part 2

Dr. John A. Baughman also filed a lot of paperwork.

File
Minister’s Message: Being the real you

When we are in Christ, we have an authentic identity

Photo courtesy Walt Disney Studios
Halle Bailey portrays Ariel, alongside Flounder, voiced by Jacob Tremblay, in “The Little Mermaid.”
‘Little Mermaid’ sings (mostly) the same tunes in remake

“The Little Mermaid” is in many ways indistinguishable from the version that debuted in 1989

Encore Dance Academy students practice ahead of the 2023 Spring Recital at Encore Dance Academy in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Encore Dance Academy year-end show recognizes ‘legacy’ of local dance

The recital will feature ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz and contemporary

Promotional image of Anchorage Bowl Chamber Orchestra. (Photo courtesy Anchorage Bowl Chamber Orchestra)
Anchorage Bowl Chamber Orchestra returns to Peninsula for 9th tour

They will perform at the Kenai Senior Center, Sunday, June 4 at 2 p.m.

The simple yet versatile crepe can be served savory or sweet, such as this banana, powdered sugar and chocolate creation. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Savory, sweet and everything in between

Simple yet versatile crepes can be outfitted for every taste

Kendra Pisa prepares a shot at Northern Light Espresso on Monday, May 15, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Coffee stand expands to ‘modern hangout’

Northern Lights Espresso opens its second location

The Orca Theater is seen on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Orca kicks off kids summer movie series this month

This is the seventh year of “Kids Summer Fun”

Promotional image for "Nourishing the Kenai." (Photo courtesy Kenai Local Food Connection)
Local food doc to debut next week

Kenai Local Food Connection will next week host the first public screening… Continue reading

Most Read