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A Trivial Comedy for Serious People by Oscar WildeDirector:
Bob Purosky
Stage Manager:
Michele Booher-Purosky
Stage managed by Michele Booher-Purosky
Synopsis:
The Importance of Being Earnest is a play by Oscar Wilde in which friends Jack and Algernon’s double-lives interfere with their romantic pursuits. It is a farcical comedy in which the protagonists maintain fictitious personæ to escape burdensome social obligations.
Setting:
Around 1800 in England. First the city, then the country.
Cast of Characters (General casting notes: Any race acceptable for any role. Ages playable, not literal. Other specific character notes below. Jack and Algy are similar in age; found to be brothers at play’s end, but that is unknown thoughout):
John (Jack) / “Ernest” - Worthing, J.P.: “Jack” is Algernon’s friend, Gwendolen’s suitor, and Cecily’s guardian. He has invented a brother named Ernest, whose identity he assumes while in the city. Age: plays 25-35 years old.
Algernon “Algy” Moncrieff: Jack’s friend, Lady Bracknell’s nephew, Gwendolen’s cousin, and love interest to Cecily. Ostentatiously cynical and constantly hungry. At play’s end, the mystery of Jack’s parentage reveals that Jack and Algy are actually brothers. Age: similar to Jack, plays 25-35 years old.
Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.: Canon Chasuble is the rather foolish, pedantic Rector attracted to Miss Prism. Age: 50+.
Merriman: The servant at Jack’s country manor house in Hertfordshire. Age variable adult.
Lane: Manservant to Algy. Very dry, though funny. Age variable adult.
Lady Bracknell: Algernon’s aunt. She opposes Jack’s marriage to her daughter Gwendolen. Overall, she is realistic, hard-nosed, and an upholder of convention—though not entirely conventional herself. Female-identifying, but can be played by either a female actor or by a male actor in drag. Age 50+, matronly.
Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax: Algy’s cousin, Lady Bracknell’s daughter, with whom Jack—as
Earnest—is in love and to whom he proposes marriage. Age: plays 25-35.
Cecily Cardew: Jack’s pretty, young ward, whom Algy woos but who remains
determined to marry a man named Earnest. Not quite as naive as she
may appear, Cecily keeps a diary, which “is simply a very young girl’s
record of her own thoughts and impressions and consequently
meant for publication.” Tutored by Miss Prism, Cecily often fails to
attend to her studies. Age: plays as late teens.
Miss Prism, Governess: Cecily’s absent-minded governess who is wooed by Chasuble. Age: 50+.
Standard British accents (received pronunciation or RP) will be used in this production, so please prepare to demonstrate this accent during audition script read-throughs. We will also be using a free domain script that anyone can download for free and peruse beforehand, Gutenberg link below.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/844/844-h/844-h.htm
Come prepared to read from the script. Perusal scripts are available online (link above) and at the Riverwalk Theatre Office Tuesday-Friday, 10am-5:00pm or contact us at: [email protected]
If callbacks are needed: Weds, Jan. 22, at 7 pm.
Production Dates: March 13-16 and 20-23, 2025
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
228 Museum Dr, Lansing, MI, United States, Michigan 48933
