Thursday, March 28, 2024

“A Man of No Importance” July 20-August 26 at Coronado Playhouse

Coronado Playhouse’s Family Affair Season
presents
A Man of No Importance
JULY 20-AUGUST 26, 2018

Coronado Playhouse continues its 2018 Season, A Family Affair, with A Man of No Importance, opening Friday, July 20th running until Sunday, August 26th, 2018 at Coronado Playhouse. Winner of the 2003 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and penned by Tony-winning Ragtime creators Terrence McNally (book), Lynn Ahrens (lyrics), and Stephen Flaherty (music), A Man of No Importance is a rare gem of a musical that combines the depth and drama of a play with the lyricism and comedy of a musical. The musical was developed from the 1994 film of the same name, starring Albert Finney. It tells the story of Alfie Byrne, a bus conductor with a poet’s heart. By day he dispenses tickets and Oscar Wilde’s poetry to his passengers. After work, his passengers become his actors and stage crew at

The St. Imelda’s Players. Photo by Ken Jacques

St. Imelda’s Players, an amateur theatre group housed in his local church. Alfie’s heart holds a secret that he cannot share with anyone but his imagined confidante, the Irish playwright and poet, Oscar Wilde. When he attempts to stage a production of Wilde’s Salome, the church authorities balk at the play’s “immodest dancing” and his safe little world begins to crumble. He confronts the forces of bigotry and shame over a love “that dare not speak its name.” Truths tumble out and judgments fly. But when the accounts of friendship are reckoned, Alfie’s true goodness, and his quiet philosophy—“you just have to love who you love”—wins out.

The musical, which echoes real-life challenges and characters from Oscar Wilde’s own life, originally premiered at Lincoln Center’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater in 2002, with a cast that featured Roger Rees as Alfie Byrne and included Faith Prince and Steven Pasquale, of which the Associated Press wrote, “(It is…) Rich in the necessary ingredient needed to make musicals sing – people about whom you care.”

Jennie Gray Connard as Lily, Barron Henzel as Alfie. Photo by Ken Jacques

Manny Bejarano returns to Coronado Playhouse after last year’s critically acclaimed production of Fly By Night, to direct. Mr. Bejarano has assembled a stellar cast and a dedicated and experienced design team. His professional creative team, which includes Kirk Valles (Music Director), Patrick Mayuyu (Choreographer) and Vanessa Dinning (Dialect Coach), will work together to bring audiences what Newsday described as “A major musical in everything but pretension.

Barron Henzel as Alfie, Vander Turner as Robby. Photo: Ken Jacques

A work of subtle power…” to the Coronado Playhouse stage. As Coronado Playhouse’s Board President, Mr. Henzel is delighted to be treading the boards at his own theatre in the lead role of Alfie Byrne. He’s joined by the Artistic Director of Ocean Beach Playhouse, Jennie Gray Connard playing his sister, Lily, and in the double-cast roles of Carney (Alfie’s nemesis) and Oscar Wilde (Alfie’s confidante) is San Diego favorite, Ralph Johnson, a regular on stage at Cygnet Theatre, Moonlight Stage Productions and seen in last year’s Guys & Dolls at The Old Globe.

Tickets range from $20-$27 and are available through Coronado Playhouse’s Box Office at (619) 435-4856 or online at www.CoronadoPlayhouse.com.

Community Partner – Coronado Public Library

Community Theatre is made by, with and for the community in which it is performed. Coronado Playhouse is committed to pursuing community theatre in the truest sense of the words by giving back to the people of San Diego County and using our public platform to help those in need. During the run of A Man of No Importance, Coronado Playhouse is partnering with Coronado Public Library in an effort to further support community spirit on the island of Coronado and enjoy this excellent establishment that benefits us all.

For more information, please visit: www.coronado.ca.us

Special Events

  • Opening Night Members’ Mingler – Friday, July 20th at 6:30 pm

Playhouse members are invited to a hosted Happy Hour at CPH for drinks and appetizers and to enjoy the ambience and excitement of opening night.
Not a member? Not a problem! Membership starts at just $50 and can be purchased in advance or at the event.

  • A Man of No Importance Movie Screening – Wednesday, August 8th at 7pm

Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118

Join us and our Community Partner, Coronado Public Library, for a free screening of the original 1995 movie of A Man of No Importance featuring Albert Finney, Brenda Fricker, Michael Gambon, Tara Fitzgerald and Rufus Sewell.  We will meet at the Library to see the movie that inspired this beautiful and poignant musical and enjoy a lively Q&A with the show’s director and cast members afterwards.


About Coronado Playhouse
Coronado Playhouse is the longest continuously run community theatre in San Diego County, currently in its 72nd Season. The intimate 100-seat, cabaret-style theatre, overlooks beautiful Glorietta Bay and is part of the Coronado Community Center. The venue opened in 2006 with state of the art equipment and a full-service bar. Season ticket holders can reserve tables a year in advance for each show. The Playhouse is dedicated to providing quality entertainment, with a mix of classic and modern comedies, dramas and mysteries, dazzling musicals, colorful free classics, theatre for young audiences, concerts and cabarets. These programs, along with our education outreach, theatre classes and other community events, are only possible because of your continued support and charitable donations.
Coronado Playhouse is a qualified 501(c) 3 non-profit organization as San Diego County’s longest running community theatre.



Managing Editor
Managing Editor
Originally from upstate New York, Dani Schwartz has lived in Coronado since 1996. She is happy to call Coronado home and to have raised her children here. In her free time she enjoys reading, exercising, trying new restaurants, and just walking her dog around the "island." Have news to share? Send tips or story ideas to: [email protected]

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