Mary Baldwin University Theatre presents The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. Possibly Wilde’s most famous play, this light-hearted comedy incorporates wordplay, pretenses, and accidental love triangles, not to mention cucumber sandwiches. Jack, played by Chad Marriott, is a serious young man in the country, but a man-about-town in London. Algernon, performed by Joshua Williams, is a not serious man-about-town, but a determined “Bunburyist” in the country (a “Bunburyist” pretends to be ill to avoid social engagements). Melissa Sue Fulton and Lydia Wossum-Fisher are the two young women, Cecily and Gwendolyn, who are both are in love with the character Earnest. Added to the cast are Michelle Laurence as the imposing Lady Bracknell, Rachel Jensen and Randi Sams as the servants Merriman and Lane, Will Campbell as the befuddled Rev. Canon Chasuble, and Marianna Moynihan as the governess and would-be writer.
“The Importance of Being Earnest is a brilliant blend of social satire and dazzling wit,” said director Kelley McKinnon. “Come and see our fabulously talented young cast. We hope you laugh as much watching the show as we did making it.”
The play opens October 7 and runs through October 11 in the Fletcher Collins Theatre in Deming Fine Arts Center. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickets are $7 for students and senior citizens, $12 for adults, and can be purchased online at go.marybaldwin.edu/theatre, or by phone through the Mary Baldwin University Theatre Box Office, 540-887-7189, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information contact Terry Southerington at tsouther@marybaldwin.edu