The following press release was sent to The Bloomingtonian:
“Constellation Stage & Screen presents
The Importance of Being Earnest
A Trivial Comedy for Serious People
By Oscar Wilde | Directed by Kate Galvin
Bloomington, IN– Don’t miss “the most perfect comedy in the English language” –London Telegraph
This October, Constellation Stage & Screen is reopening the newly renovated Waldron Arts Center with Oscar Wilde’s literary classic: The Importance of Being Earnest, on stage October 13th – 30th. Not only is it the company’s first production back at the Waldron, but the show is part of IU’s Fall 2022 Themester, focused on Identity and Identification. The Importance of Being Earnest will also include “Pay What You Will Thursdays,” allowing audiences to see live theater for as little as $5 per ticket.
Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece about marriage, morality, and mistaken identity sparkles with dazzling wordplay and unlikely situations while discussing themes of marriage, morality, and mistaken identity. This “trivial comedy for serious people” features two gentlemen, Jack and Algernon, each with a carefully hidden double life. When Algernon discovers that Jack has been posing as a man named Earnest to escape to the city, he promptly travels to Jack’s country estate to pose as the fictional figure himself! Confusion and hilarity reign as they fall in love with a pair of proper young women and confront the formidable Lady Bracknell in the pursuit of romance and revelry.
“This show is so much fun! Oscar Wilde’s wit is incomparable and his dialog really sparkles. He’s wrapped his sharp commentary on class and marriage in a delightfully frothy package, which makes this piece feel truly timeless,” says director Kate Galvin.
The Importance of Being Earnest brings together a talented cast, filled with familiar and new faces for the Bloomington Community. Several cast members have been seen in previous roles at Cardinal Stage or the Bloomington Playwrights Project, including Devin May as Jack Worthing, Mary Carol Reardon as Lady Bracknell, Steve Scott as Lane/Merriman, David Sheehan as Dr. Chasuble, and Greta Lind as Miss Prism. Newer faces include guest artists Jeremiah Porter as Algernon Moncrieff and Hannah Hakim as Cecily Cardew, as well as local actor Valerie Kilmer as Gwendolen Fairfax.
Directed by Constellation’s own Artistic Director Kate Galvin, this production has an all-star production team: Stage Manager Phi Christiansen, Scenic Designer/Scenic Change Artist David Wade, Lighting Designer Jennifer Fok, Costume Designer Kate Mott, Sound Designer Brandon Reed, Props Master Aubrey Krueger, and Assistant Stage Managers Chelsea Pell and Katie Ayer.
“The opportunity for beautiful design elements was one of the things that drew me to this piece,” says Galvin. “We’ve really tried to embrace elements of the Aesthetic Movement, which was such a huge part of Wilde’s life and career. Both the set and the costume designs lean into gorgeous colors and patterns to really celebrate beauty.”
The Importance of Being Earnest is also a part of Indiana University’s Themester focused on Identity and Identification. This program invites undergraduate students on an intellectual exploration centered around one compelling topic throughout the fall semester. Constellation is thrilled to be included, helping Themester expand beyond the boundaries of IU’s campus and bring related offerings to the Bloomington community.
Be there for the Grand Re-Opening of the Waldron Arts Center with Oscar Wilde’s “laugh-out loud funny” comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest. Tickets start at $35 for adults and $20 for students. To help make live theater more accessible, Constellation is offering Pay What You Will Thursdays for every Mainstage production at the Waldron Arts Center or Ted Jones Playhouse. On Thursday evenings for these productions, audience members can pay as little as $5 to see one of our shows. Tickets for The Importance of Being Earnest are on sale now and available through Constellation’s website (seeconstellation.org) and box office (812-336-9300, open M-F 12-5pm). Masks are encouraged but not required.
Don’t miss Oscar Wilde’s Comedic Masterpiece, on stage October 13th – 30th!“
