[SYNOPSIS FROM PUBLISHER SITE] Throughout history infants have been named “Ernest” and it’s safe to assume the recipients of said moniker have grown up and found their niche in life the same as the Johns, Bills, and Toms. There’s nothing startling or arresting or even unusual about the name—except to Henry Gilcrest.

It all started when Henry’s boss fired him, his girlfriend flat-out dumped him, and Aunt Ethel ordered him from her house because he hadn’t paid his rent. Well poor, homeless, girl-less, jobless Henry spends the night in the park and meets Mr. Bumpus. He pours out his troubles to Mr. Bumpus, who tells Henry that life has dealt him a miserable blow and he has a friend named Ernest who, for $17.83, gets poor, downtrodden people like Henry out of their distress. So Henry, in his pitiful, forlorn condition, pays the money, goes back home and finds (1) Aunt Ethel is ready to forgive him, (2) his girlfriend wants another chance, (3) his boss has given him a raise, and (4) life has never been better! Except for the fact that everyone Henry encounters from here on out is named Ernest. There’s Aunt Ethel’s gentleman friend - Margie’s new beau - and when a doctor is summoned for Henry, he turns out to be Dr. Earnest. You’ll enjoy each character in this rapid-fire, three act frolic with a clever finish! One interior set.

(Heuer Publishing, 2022)

Santiam Christian Theatre (SCT) aims to challenge, inspire, and cultivate young artists through the gift of performance arts. Junior high and high school students can be involved in up to three plays each year, which includes the Jr. Players production led by upperclassmen, and the first and second-semester high school plays (for HS students only). Performances take place at our black box theater on campus and via recorded live streams.