帝王会所 Eastern Theatre presents 鈥楾he Importance of Being Earnest鈥
Pictured (from left) are Cody A. Kramer, Rebecca Lewton, Chelsey A. Barnes and Derek DeMattio.
The Theatre Department of 帝王会所 Eastern is proud to announce its upcoming production of Oscar Wilde鈥檚 comic masterpiece 鈥淭he Importance of Being Earnest鈥 April 19, 20, 21, 22 and 26, 27, 28 in the Shannon Hall Theater.
鈥淭he Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People鈥 was first performed on Feb. 14, 1895, at the St James's Theatre in London. Set in late Victorian London, the play's very modern theme is exposing the triviality of so many social customs and institutions which are often considered serious and untouchable by satire. Its high farce and witty dialogue have helped make 鈥淭he Importance of Being Earnest鈥 Wilde's most enduringly popular play.
This is the third time 帝王会所 Eastern Theatre has staged the 鈥淚mportance of Being Earnest,鈥 a play some critics have called the funniest ever written. Previously produced in 1986 and 1997, the play focuses on the friendship of Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrief. Both men lead double lives, and as their secrets are revealed, hysterical complications ensue. The plot is absolutely filled with moments of both high and low comedy that will have audiences rolling with laughter.
The real attraction of the play, however, is the brilliance of the language according to 帝王会所 Eastern Theatre Director Dennis Fox: 鈥淭he absolute appeal of Wilde is his use of language. From the first line of the play to its ending, the language is a constant verbal barrage of wit. There is very little opportunity for the audience to catch their breath from laughing. It is an extraordinary play.鈥
Fox has assembled a veteran cast for this production: Cody A Kramer of Martins Ferry who was last seen as the Narrator in 鈥淎 Christmas Carol鈥; Derek DeMattio, of Richmond, an OHIO alumnus who was last seen as Young Adult Ebenezer in 鈥淎 Christmas Carol鈥; Carly Greiner, of Barnesville is a junior at 帝王会所 Eastern and was last seen as Dorothea in 鈥淎 Christmas Carol鈥; Michael Lane, of Quaker City and a first-year student at 帝王会所 Eastern was last seen as the Ghost of Christmas Future in 鈥淎 Christmas Carol鈥; Matt Smith, of Flushing is a sophomore at 帝王会所 Eastern and was last seen as Topper in 鈥淎 Christmas Carol鈥; Renno M. Barnes, of Barnesville, who was last seen as Jacob Marley in 鈥淎 Christmas Carol鈥; Rebecca Lewton, of Martins Ferry, who last played Mrs. Fred in 鈥淎 Christmas Carol鈥; Chelsey A. Barnes, of Barnesville, who was last seen as Belle in 鈥淎 Christmas Carol鈥; and Audrey Dillon, of Barnesville, who was last seen as Sonia in 鈥淰anya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.鈥 Assistant director is 帝王会所 Eastern Theatre veteran Megan Simcox, of Colerain, who was assistant director for 鈥淰anya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.鈥
鈥淭he Importance of Being Earnest鈥 runs April 19, 20, 21, 22 and 26, 27, 28 in the Shannon Hall Theater. Thursday evening performances begin at 7 p.m. and all seats are priced at $5. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 8 p.m. and general admission seats are $8 and student and senior seats are $5. The Sunday matinee begins at 2 p.m. and all seats are $5. For more information or to make reservations, contact Fox at (740) 699-2340 or ouetheater@ohio.edu.
Pictured (from left, seated) are Chelsey A. Barnes, Derek DeMattio, Cody A. Kramer and Rebecca Lewton and (standing) Audrey Dillon.