51ĀŅĀ× Eastern Theatre presents āThe Importance of Being Earnestā
Pictured (from left) are Cody A. Kramer, Rebecca Lewton, Chelsey A. Barnes and Derek DeMattio.
The Theatre Department of 51ĀŅĀ× Eastern is proud to announce its upcoming production of Oscar Wildeās comic masterpiece āThe Importance of Being Earnestā April 19, 20, 21, 22 and 26, 27, 28 in the Shannon Hall Theater.
āThe Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious Peopleā 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 āThe Importance of Being Earnestā Wilde's most enduringly popular play.
This is the third time 51ĀŅĀ× Eastern Theatre has staged the āImportance of Being Earnest,ā 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 51ĀŅĀ× Eastern Theatre Director Dennis Fox: āThe 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.ā
Fox has assembled a veteran cast for this production: Cody A Kramer of Martins Ferry who was last seen as the Narrator in āA Christmas Carolā; Derek DeMattio, of Richmond, an OHIO alumnus who was last seen as Young Adult Ebenezer in āA Christmas Carolā; Carly Greiner, of Barnesville is a junior at 51ĀŅĀ× Eastern and was last seen as Dorothea in āA Christmas Carolā; Michael Lane, of Quaker City and a first-year student at 51ĀŅĀ× Eastern was last seen as the Ghost of Christmas Future in āA Christmas Carolā; Matt Smith, of Flushing is a sophomore at 51ĀŅĀ× Eastern and was last seen as Topper in āA Christmas Carolā; Renno M. Barnes, of Barnesville, who was last seen as Jacob Marley in āA Christmas Carolā; Rebecca Lewton, of Martins Ferry, who last played Mrs. Fred in āA Christmas Carolā; Chelsey A. Barnes, of Barnesville, who was last seen as Belle in āA Christmas Carolā; and Audrey Dillon, of Barnesville, who was last seen as Sonia in āVanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.ā Assistant director is 51ĀŅĀ× Eastern Theatre veteran Megan Simcox, of Colerain, who was assistant director for āVanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.ā
āThe Importance of Being Earnestā 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.