Winter Play Preview

The Importance of Being Earnest

by Alicia Y. Zheng

In 1895, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest was first presented in English theatres. In 2010, the cast and crew will present their own version of this play in the Copeland-Donahue Theatre.

This comedy is full of colorful characters. Starting with two interesting old friends, it soon twists into a looping, confusing plot which involves false identities and hurried engagements. The play has the classical Victorian structure, with an aunt who believes she knows everything, butlers who think they are more refined than their masters, desperate governesses tutoring absent-minded young girls, and of course, the ever-present, incomparable bromance.With a starring play, also come stellar performers to present this hilarious show. Jordan Burns (’12) and John Dominguez (’11) play the lead roles of Mr. Earnest Worthing and Mr. Algernon Moncrieff, the two good friends involved in the bromance, one of which was born in a handbag while the other can’t stop eating. Diana Escalante (’12) and Charlotte Harris (’12) play the friends-then enemies-finally friends Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. Dakota Santana-Grace (’11) and Victoria Alejandro (’14) characterize the two modest infatuated couple of Dr. Fredrick Chausable and Laetitia Prism, while Mallory Thompson (’13) personifies the hard-headed Lady Bracknell. Finally, the butlers who must keep a straight face through this whole process are impeccably impersonated by Allen Isaacson (’12) and Andrew Mayger (’12).

With complicated plots, there must be complicated sets, props, and costumes. Although there are merely three acts, each one of these acts contains its own specific full-on set and intricate props coming on and off the stage. Full-on sets require time and effort to change every time, but don’t worry, the lovely voices of John Dominguez, Charlotte Harris, and Jordan Burns mesh together in order to provide a rather interesting interlude between the set changes.

This play is not for the dimwitted; it is a fast-paced performance full of clever puns and quick, cunning banter. The plot moves even faster; it moves from an engagement to a christening to a revelation. It’s got just a little bit of everything for everyone: a little bit of romance here, a dash of adventure there, and a lot of laughter everywhere. Surely, by the end of the play, everyone shall realize “The Importance of Being Earnest.”