Quick Chats: Marcus Truschinski on The Importance of Being Earnest

Welcome to our Quick Chats series, where we take a peek backstage and ask questions that are almost completely related to the show. Today, we're chatting with Marcus Truschinski, who plays Algernon Moncrieff in The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. In this classic play, Algernon discovers that his friend Jack has been going by the name Ernest to escape social obligations and woo Algernon's cousin Gwendolen. Not one to be outdone, Algernon pretends to be Ernest as well in order to win the heart of Jack's young ward, Cecily. Mistaken identities, quick wits and ridiculous social sensibilities combine to create a hilarious and heart-warming comedy. And now, we go to Marcus for his take. APT: Is there one particular costume, prop, set piece, etc. that you want the audience to notice? M: The audience should take special notice of all the work that went into my costumes. They are incredible artisans. I feel so lucky to be wearing them. APT: Algernon has quite a relationship with food. Which food is the tastiest to eat? (And which one is not so tasty?) M: The food is all delicious. We always get great food to eat on stage and our assistant stage manager David [Hartig] makes a mean cucumber sandwich. I just have to remember when not to eat. I've had a couple of close calls. APT: Earnest is a famously quotable play. Do you have a favorite line? M: How can you choose just one! APT: Are you more like or more unlike your character, Algernon? M: Who told you I was like Algernon? I'm not like Algernon at all. Ahem. APT: This play tells us that 'one should always have something sensational to read in the train.' What sensational thing would you read? M: I love to read. Anything I can get my hands on. The reading itself is the sensational part. I just started a book of short stories called Tenth of December by George Saunders and just finished a book called Regeneration by Pat Barker. The Importance of Being Earnest runs through September 27 on the Hill. For more information or to buy tickets, please visit http://americanplayers.org/plays/the-importance-of-being-earnest or call the Box Office at 608-588-2361. Photo: Carissa Dixon