The Importance of Being Earnest - Westport Country Playhouse

The Westport Country Playhouse opened its 95^th season with an uneven production of the classic Oscar Wilde comedy The Importance of Being Earnest.  Wilde’s wit, humor, and intellect is on full display in the show.  The issue is the pacing of the production.  Director Melissa Rain Anderson, primarily in Act I, has the characters hurrying about James J. Fenton’s stylishly rendered set.  The somewhat flashy performances, the dashing about, and clambering up and down the center staircase, while amusing, can also be distracting.  Less would have been more, allowing the comedy to come naturally from the repartee and well-planted bon mots.

L-R: Kristen Hahn, Katy Tang, Triney Sandoval, Anthony Michael Martinez, Christine Pedi, Jan Neuberger, and Michael Raver in “The Importance of Being Earnest” at Westport Country Playhouse, now through November 15. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

 

 In the show, two young men, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, both lead double lives.  Jack lives in the country but pretends to have a wicked brother named “Ernest” so he can enjoy the pleasures of London.  In reverse, Jack’s friend Algernon relishes the opportunity to play in the country under the assumed identity of “Bunbury.”  The name of “Ernest” plays a key role in the work.  The secretive guises create a tricky problem with their love lives - Jack with Gwendolyn Fairfax, Algernon’s cousin, and Algernon with Cecily Cardew, Jack’s ward.  Complicating the whole affair is Algernon’s aunt, Lady Bracknell, an imposing, highly opinionated matron; Gwendolyn’s governess, Ms. Prism; and an over-stimulated priest, Canon Chasuble.  In the end, surprises are sprung, and happiness prevails for all.

L-R: Michael Raver and Anthony Michael Martinez in “The Importance of Being Earnest” at Westport Country Playhouse, now through November 15.  Photo by Carol Rosegg.

 

The centerpiece of The Importance of Being Earnest is the role of Lady Bracknell.  When she enters the stage, the character should demand the audience’s undivided and devoted attention.  Christine Pedi, garbed in one of Costume Designer Annie J. Le’s sumptuous outfits, is daunting and haughty, but the actress is not domineering within her scenes.  She becomes just one of the players.   

L-R: Kristen Hahn, Mark Silence, and Katy Tang in “The Importance of Being Earnest” at Westport Country Playhouse, now through November 15.   Photo by Carol Rosegg.

 

Anthony Michael Martinez’s Algernon is a foppish, vain, man about town, but the actor is slightly over-the-top in the role.  Michael Raver is more controlled as Jack Worthing, but almost too woeful and distressed.  Katy Tang’s Gwendolyn is attractively focused on her desires.  Kristen Hahn’s Cecily, as delicate as a butterfly is, nonetheless, resolute and unyielding with her wants and yearnings.  The two women, when together on stage, provide an entertaining verbal joust.  The other players - Jan Neuberger as the proper, yet restless, Miss Prism; Triney Sandoval as the frisky, jocular Canon Chasuble; and Mark Silence as the unexcitable and tolerant butlers – deliver ample support to the production.

L-R: Kristen Hahn, Anthony Michael Martinez, and Christine Pedi in “The Importance of Being Earnest” at Westport Country Playhouse, now through November 15.  Photo by Carol Rosegg.

The Importance of Being Earnest, playing at the Westport Country Playhouse through November 15.  Click here for dates, times, and ticket information.