No Civilization In Between

Let’s Get Wilde

Oscar Wilde said that America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between. In his most produced and much loved play, The Importance of Being Earnest, as in all of his plays, he skewers the excesses and absurdities of the very civilization he says we never experienced in our poor benighted country. We may have dodged a bullet there if the Moncrieffs and Worthings of the play are examples of that civilization. They are hilariously self-involved people without a thought in their heads beyond their immediate desires, whether it be for muffins, cucumber sandwiches, or romantic entanglements.

the Banality of Decadence

The orphan, Jack Worthing (Josh Wilde), wishes to marry the Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax (Melinda Capeles), niece of the formidable Lady Bracknell (Chris Kelly), while his dissolute friend, Algernon Moncrieff (Ben Michael Moran), seeks only to be amused. Both men have created doppelgangers so they can move freely between town and country. Jack lives in the country with his ward, Cecily Cardew (Renee Landrigan), so Jack invented a wicked brother named Earnest who lives in town, while Algie invented a sick friend named Bunberry who requires immediate attention whenever Algie wants to remove himself from the conventions of Society in town. Algie is intrigued by the idea of meeting Cecily and tricks Jack into giving him their address in the country, showing up as Earnest. By coincidence, both women will only marry men named Earnest. Mayhem ensues. Jenn Stafford plays Miss Prism, anxious tutor to Cecily, and Vincenzo McNeill is Rev. Chasuble, the vicar she adores in secret.

The Importance of Being Earnest is a brilliant comedy with deliciously biting dialogue that exposes the banality of the lives of the Victorian leisure class, whether they be in town or in the country. It satirizes the politics of the day as well as the insularity and myopia of those born into “Society” without ever failing to amuse. Since it first appeared on stage in London on Valentine’s Day in 1895, it has been produced more times than can be counted. It is a classic.

a Timeless Show to Savor

ICTC’s new production, directed by Kristin Tripp Kelley, has amped up the characters, particularly in the first act, and particularly with Moncrieff,  almost to the point of caricature at times. Sometimes less really is more, in theater as in architecture. On the other hand, I spoke with an audience member who said he has also seen the play many times and was enjoying the over-the-top performances as a different approach.

Each of the actors have moments that shine. The back and forth relationship between Gwendolyn and Cecily, the flirtation between Algie and Cecily, and Lady Bracknell’s pronouncements on what society expects are a few.

Scenic Designer Chris Cavanagh created a simple, elegant set that works for both town and country. In the only scene change, the town butler Merriman (Charmagne Chi), who also plays the country butler Lane, regaled the audience with a song while removing slip covers from the furniture, turning the set into a more simple country setting. Very cleverly staged. Costumes by Vivian Del Bello are elegant and of the time. Susan Drozd did hair and makeup, turning Chris Kelly into that pillar of society, Lady Bracknell. He was very much that redoubtable presence.

The Importance of Being Earnest is a timeless piece of theater and always has moments to savor.