"The Importance of Being Earnest"

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I have been a fan Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" since high school, when our performing-arts-school-within-the-high-school put on the show. I have never read the  play before, and I haven't seen it since that memorable performance. So I was thrilled to get to see "The Importance of Being Earnest" onstage last week.

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Directed by Brian Bedford, who also magnificently takes on the starring role of Lady Bracknell, the cast of this show is tremendous, and the costumes,  sets and lighting are equally delightful. Santino Fontana's "Algernon Moncrieff" was hilarious as the scamp always out for himself and a good meal, while David Furr's "John Worthing" was endearing in his frustration and noble striving to move beyond his humble "parentage" in a handbag to be able to marry the girl he loves. The lady loves and the rest of the cast are not to be forgotten either, coming together to form a truly cohesive ensemble, gleefully supporting the two main leads of this show.

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With Desmond Heeley in charge of both sets and costume design, it makes sense that the frivolity of the garden and stateliness of both family homes would meld so well with the grand attire that outfits each character. Duane Schuler's lighting design perfectly heralded dusk in a garden, and Berthold Carriere's original music was truly enjoyable, so much so that if one was to be recorded, I would purchase a soundtrack. Truly with a creative crew this talented, and a cast this hilariously earnest in their pursuits, you can rest assured that the Roundabout Theater's production of "The Importance of Being Earnest" is a very worthwhile way to spend an evening!


The Roundabout Theater is located at 227 West 42 Street (between 7th & 8th Ave) or tickets can be purchased by calling 212-719-1300