July 25 - October 20, 2024
BY OSCAR WILDE
“The very essence of romance is uncertainty.” – Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde’s brilliant and wicked The Importance of Being Earnest, is a comedic masterpiece that unravels a web of mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and clever deceptions. When two young gentlemen decide to adopt fictitious personas to escape the constraints of societal expectations, a whirlwind of hilarious misunderstandings ensues. As love interests collide and secret pasts are revealed, Wilde weaves a delightful tapestry of wit, absurdity, and biting satire.
Don your finest apparel and join us at the Blackfriars Playhouse for an exquisite evening of uproarious laughter as a cast of charming characters, directed by José Zayas, navigate a world where triviality and earnest pursuits take center stage. And don’t forget the cucumber sandwiches!
Run time: approx. 2.5 hours, including two 10-minute intermissions
Age requirement: 7 and up (read full policies here)
Read more about our Staging Conditions and Casting Practices here.
Artistic Team
José Zayas is an acclaimed director with 100+ productions across New York, regional, and international stages.
THIS SEASON: Stage Manager
Vera Conrad is a skilled Assistant Stage Manager with a passion for bringing both timeless classics and modern productions to life on stage.
Charlie Mooz is a dedicated Assistant Stage Manager and actor with experience in both classic and contemporary theatre.
John Paul Scheidler is a fight choreographer, director, and actor whose work has been a cornerstone of ASC productions since 2003.
Doreen Bechtol is a seasoned movement consultant, actor, and educator with extensive experience in theatre, choreography, and original devised works.
Marie Lupia served at the American Shakespeare Center from 2022–2025.
Conrad Gothard worked at the American Shakespeare Center from 2023 – 2026
Amy Monsalve is Wardrobe Manager & Design Assistant at the ASC, recognized for her attention to detail and passion for bringing costumes to life.
Hailey Pearce, Fundraising & Development Manager at ASC, brings her passion for Shakespeare and experience in theatre to every patron interaction.
D. Scarlet Frishman is a dedicated Wardrobe Assistant and versatile theatre artist with a passion for storytelling and costume design.
Cast
Summer England is a gifted actor whose compelling and elegant performances light up the ASC stage and beyond.
Leah Gabriel is an inspiring actor known for her powerful and authentic performances that connect deeply with audiences at ASC and beyond.
Britt Michael Gordon is an actor at the American Shakespeare Center, appearing in classical and contemporary productions at the Blackfriars Playhouse.
Kenn Hopkins Jr. is an accomplished actor who has brought dynamic performances to ASC, regional theatres, and screen, with captivating roles.
Angela Iannone is a celebrated actor, known for her nuanced performances and captivating presence at ASC and beyond.
Sara Linares is an actor at the American Shakespeare Center, appearing in classical and contemporary productions at the Blackfriars Playhouse.
Aidan O’Reilly is an actor and director with the American Shakespeare Center, known for his work on Shakespearean classics.
K.P. Powell is an actor and director with the American Shakespeare Center, known for his dynamic performances and bold storytelling on stage and off.
Acting Fellow
THIS SEASON: Understudy for Macbeth, The Importance of Being Earnest, and The Merry Wives of Windsor
THIS SEASON: Acting Fellow
THIS SEASON: Acting Fellow
Understudy
Ronan Melomo is a versatile actor with a rich background in classical theatre, known for dynamic performances at the American Shakespeare Center.
Jean Roche, Acting Fellow at the American Shakespeare Center in 2024, performs as Swing in A Christmas Carol 2024.
Understudy
Becca Westbrook is a versatile performer and director whose passion for storytelling and Shakespearean theatre shines at ASC and beyond.
Johnny Williams III is a dynamic performer whose versatility and passion bring captivating characters to life at ASC and beyond.
- At his flat in London, Algernon Moncrieff prepares for the arrival of his aunt, Lady Augusta Bracknell, and her daughter, Gwendolen Fairfax.
- Algernon’s friend Mr. Worthing arrives unexpectedly. Mr. Worthing is in love with Gwendolen.
- Algernon is quite surprised to discover that his friend’s name is not actually Ernest, but Jack.
- Algernon tells Jack about “Bunburying,” a ruse he invented for escaping tedious social functions in London.
- Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen arrive. Jack (as Ernest) proposes to Gwendolen.
- Lady Bracknell interviews Jack to ascertain his eligibility as a suitor to her daughter. Lady Bracknell is alarmed about Jack’s unknown parentage.
- In the garden of Jack’s country house, his young ward, Cecily Cardew, and her governess, Miss Prism, discuss the need to reform Jack’s wayward brother ‘Ernest.’
- Algernon and Jack meet in the garden, under surprising circumstances.
- Gwendolen and Cecily meet in the garden, under equally surprising circumstances.
- In the morning room of Jack’s country house, revelations, confessions, engagements, and earnest trivialities ensue…
Be sure to arrive a little early to enjoy pre-show music performed by the cast. Music will also be performed during the show’s intermissions.
