The Importance of Being Earne Cast

Meet the Cast of EARNEST

Maria Boncza(Gwendolen Fairfax)

Maria Boncza, aka “Meesha,” is thrilled to return to the stage as Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest making her debut with 413Rep. After a year-long sabbatical spent writing and stirring up creative fun of her own, she’s delighted to hop back on stage and open this show on her birthday! Earnest is especially dear to her heart, as it was her first HS production her freshman year. Since her first show in San Diego three years ago (as a Chicago native), she’s enjoyed playing: Elizabeth Proctor (The Crucible- Southwestern College aka SWC), Rachel (The Outsider-Powpac), Sister Mary Hubert (Nunsense- Patio Playhouse), Mary Shelley (The Frankenstein Project-SWC) and Dannica (Game Night- a collab between SoulKiss Theatre and The Old Globe). Meesha thanks this wonderful cast, creative and production teams, and audience for showing up with curiosity and impeccable taste — after all, nothing matters quite so much as being Earnest.

Grayson Lea (Algernon Montcrieff)

Grayson Lea is thrilled to be returning to the Grand Tea Room and 413 Repertory Theater after working on Pride @ Prejudice and Clue: On Stage most recently! He has previously performed as St. John Rivers (Jane Eyre) and Ensemble for Legally Blonde: the Musical. He has worked both on stage and behind the scenes of shows, making sure to understand the artform from multiple aspects to deepen the appreciation of it. When not performing, you can find Grayson relaxing at home with his cat Dolly Parton the Invincible when she allows, playing some of his favorite video games, or participating in weekly Dungeons and Dragons games with his friends. He can also be found enjoying cosplay conventions and taking pictures with friends.

Shane Murphy (Cecily Cardew)

Shane Murphy is delighted to appear as Cecily Cardew in The Importance of Being Earnest. She holds a B.A. in Theatre from the University of San Diego and is thrilled to continue bringing her love of language, wit, and romantic absurdity to the stage. Recent roles include Desdemona in Othello and Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire. To Stevie and August: proof that the most important things in life are rarely sensible, always sincere, and absolutely worth committing to.

Frank Guttiere (Doctor Chasuble/Lane)

Frank Guttiere Is thrilled to be performing with 413 Rep for the first time! Previous credits include Lt. Columbo in Prescription: Murder at PowPAC, as well as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family Musical and Willy Wonka in Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka at Patio Playhouse here in Escondido. He is fortunate to be able to do theatre with his wife, Jennifer, and two sons, Dash and Rowan. He serves on the board at Patio Playhouse and is committed, to making theatre accessible and safe to anyone who wants to participate. Thank you for attending and enjoy the show!

Hayden Manning (Jack Worthing)

Hayden Manning is thrilled to appear in The Importance of Being Earnest as Jack Worthing. He has previously performed extensively in Mississippi, with credits including The Hobbit, Harvey, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, West Side Story, and Pride and Prejudice as Mr. Darcy. Most recently, he appeared in Patio Playhouse’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire as Stanley Kowalski. This production marks one of his favorite plays, and he is delighted to be part of bringing Wilde’s wit to the stage.

Arlo Costello (Lady Bracknell)

Arlo Costello is so excited and grateful to be a part of their first 413 Repertory production! Arlo studied Theatre Arts at Western Connecticut State University where they helped to found their improv theatre group W.I.G.. He also was a contributing member of the 17 Debacles improv troupe in Brookfield, CT. Some of their past roles include Ben Affleck in Matt & Ben, Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream at Ives Concert Park in Danbury, CT, Gonzolo in The Tempest at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Harold Mitchell in A Streetcar Named Desire at the Patio Playhouse.

Rachel Mink (Miss Prism)

Rachel Mink is excited to be performing this classic comedy with such talented artists.
Previous acting credits include Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret, Lady Clapham in Something Rotten!, and the Merchant in Comedy of Errors. Rachel has a Master's Degree in Theatre Arts from SDSU and has several local professional credits in directing, dramaturgy, and intimacy choreography with The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Musical Theatre, New Village Arts, and the former San Diego Repertory Theatre. Outside of her work volunteering with community theatre, Rachel is the Arts Management Associate for the San Diego Public Library and is responsible for managing performing arts programming at the City Heights Branch Library's Performance Annex black box theatre, as well as the library's media-focused IDEA Lab. Rachel is passionate about storytelling, supporting the development of new work, championing new artists, and contributing to building an uplifting arts community in San Diego.

Michael Grosse (Merriman/Stage Manager)

Fill In.

Jennifer Guttiere (Director)

Jennifer Guttiere is a director, educator, and arts leader deeply rooted in the North County theatre community. She currently serves as the Artistic Director of Patio Playhouse Theatre, where she oversees season planning, directs both youth and adult productions, and champions accessible, inclusive storytelling for performers of all ages. In addition to her work at Patio Playhouse, Jennifer is the Junior Theatre Director for Classical Academy Elementary, where she leads musical theatre education for young artists, fostering creativity, confidence, and a love of live performance from an early age. Her work as an educator emphasizes collaboration, imagination, and joyful discipline, helping students grow both onstage and off. Jennifer is known for her thoughtful storytelling, strong ensemble work, and productions that balance heart, humor, and theatrical clarity. She brings a collaborative and actor-centered approach to the rehearsal room, creating environments where artists feel supported, challenged, and inspired to do their best work. She is thrilled to be making her directing debut at 413 Repertory Theatre and is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented cast and creative team.