Self-Acceptance in 1964 Dublin: Jason Mannino Stars in 'A Man of No Importance' at The Bent Theater

PALM SPRINGS, CA — The stage is set for a historic premiere at The Bent Theater, as the local LGBTQ+ staple prepares to debut its first-ever musical production: "A Man of No Importance." Joining the studio yesterday to discuss the upcoming run was the show's leading man and marketing manager, Jason Mannino.

Set in 1964 Dublin, the musical — with a book by the iconic Terrence McNally and music by the legendary duo Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (the minds behind "Ragtime" and "Seussical") — follows the life of Alfie Byrne. By day, Alfie is a simple bus conductor; by night, he is an eccentric community theater director leading "St. Imelda’s Players" in a local church hall.

"He’s a bus conductor by day and a community theater director by night," Mannino shared during yesterday’s interview. "He directs a play in his church social hall called Salome... and in that Catholic world, he has to end up confronting himself because he also has a secret."

That secret — being a closeted man in the conservative, deeply religious landscape of 1960s Ireland — serves as the emotional core of the story. Mannino describes the show as a powerful journey from "inauthenticity to self-acceptance, self-love, and full expression."

A Different Kind of Musical

Unlike the massive spectacles often associated with Ahrens and Flaherty, "A Man of No Importance" is what Mannino calls a "chamber musical." The production features a stellar ensemble of 13 actors on stage accompanied by three live instrumentalists, creating an intimate, atmospheric experience for the audience.

To ensure the production hits the right notes, the cast worked with renowned dialect coach Howard Shangraw to master the Dublin accents required for the setting. For Mannino, this marks a major milestone: while he is a fixture in the local theater scene as a publicist and critic for Stage and Cinema, this is his first major musical title role since high school.

The Dual Role of the Lead

Mannino’s involvement goes beyond the spotlight. As the Marketing and Publicity Manager for The Bent, he is the force behind the show’s community outreach, social media presence, and local partnerships.

"I write press releases, send them out to everyone in the community... do social media content, and go out and network," Mannino explained. This unique position allows him to advocate for the show both as a performer and as a storyteller for the theater’s broader mission.

Showtimes and Tickets

"A Man of No Importance" officially opens this Friday, May 8, and runs through May 24.

The Performance Schedule:

- Opening Weekend: Friday through Sunday.

- Subsequent Weeks: Thursday through Sunday.

- Times: 7:00 PM evening shows; 2:00 PM Sunday matinees.

Tickets are currently available at TheBent.org.

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