Kissing Cousins: Amanda Kohutek and Ella F. Martin

<p>**Clarification: these ladies are not cousins and nor do they kiss. Today we get to talk to Amanda Kohutek and Ella Martin about their experiences as best friends being double cast as Gwedolen in <em>The Importance of Being Earnest</em>, their concerns with the current obstacles confronting the arts, and their way of overcoming those obstacles. And what happens when you end up kissing your cousin?! We’ll talk about energy between cast members, what they learned from the more experienced members of the cast, and the different approaches they took towards call backs. Get ready to get some insight into the production, cast, changing locations, and secrets of the stage. </p><p><em>The Importance of Being Earnest</em> is running at OSP from February 19th to March 1st. If you are looking for a Valentine’s Day present that sparkles, look no further than this romantic comedy. Also, with two different casts, you can see the same (but very different) show twice! </p><p><strong>Synopsis:</strong> Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy sparkles with wit, charm, and razor-sharp satire. <em>The Importance of Being Earnest</em> follows two young gentlemen, Jack and Algernon, who create elaborate double lives to escape social obligations and pursue romance. But when their deceptions collide, the result is a whirlwind of mistaken identities, outrageous revelations, and Wilde’s trademark epigrams that still dazzle over a century later.</p><p>Audiences are treated to a delightful romp through Victorian society, where cucumber sandwiches, handbags, and the pursuit of “earnestness” become hilariously entangled. Beneath the laughter lies Wilde’s clever critique of class, marriage, and the absurdities of social convention.</p><p>The arts are under attack, and buying tickets and books is a great way to show your support and fight back. </p><p>Buy Tickets for OSP’s: <a href="https://www.okshakes.org/the-importance-of-being-earnest"><u>The Importance of Being Earnest — Oklahoma Shakespeare</u></a></p><p>PLEASE SUBSCRIBE! <a href="http://www.theshakespeareanshrew.com/"><u>⁠www.theshakespeareanshrew.com⁠</u></a> </p><p>https://www.youtube.com/@ShakespeareanShrew </p><p>Please follow us on Instagram: @theshakespeareanshrew</p><p>TikTok: @theshakespeareanshrew</p><p>The new season of shows for OSP is available <a href="https://www.okshakes.org/"><u>⁠here!⁠</u></a> </p><p>Please donate to OSP: <a href="https://www.okshakes.org/donate"><u>⁠https://www.okshakes.org/donate⁠</u></a><u> </u></p><p>Thank you for listening!</p><p>Host/Shakespearean Shrew: Karen Feiner</p><p>Co-Creator/Brew Shrew: Michelle Coffman</p><p>Cover Art Creator/Artistic Shrew: Katie Kimberling ⁠⁠⁠<a href="about:blank"><u>www.halfmaverick.com⁠⁠⁠</u></a></p><p>Intro/Outro Music: “Tangled”  by Nihilore: Creative Commons Music</p><p>Thank you to our guests: <strong>Amanda Kohutek</strong> and <strong>Ella F. Martin</strong></p><p><strong>Ella Martin</strong> (Gwendolen) She/her. Ella is a senior BFA Acting major with a minor in Digital Film and Media at Oklahoma City University from Fort Worth, Texas. Recent credits include The Children’s Hour, Bellwether, and Shakespeare’s Other Women.</p><p><strong>Amanda Kohutek</strong> (Gwendolen) she/her. Amanda is a senior BFA Acting major with a minor in Directing at Oklahoma City University, and is from Arlington, Texas. Recent credits include Feline Fighters (OCU), Charlotte&#39;s Web (OCT), and She Stoops to Conquer (OCU). </p>