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The Importance of Being Earnest

Written by Oscar Wilde
Directed by Michael Halberstam

November 8 - December 23, 2017

Location: 325 Tudor Court | Get Directions ›

Running Time: Two hours and thirty minutes, including two intermissions.

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One of the cleverest comedies by one of the greatest writers in the English language, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST introduces us to Jack and Algernon, two charming bachelors who are each living a double life, aided by a fictional alter ego called “Ernest.” But when they fall truly in love with a pair of proper young women, will they be able to bring an end to the charade and convince the formidable Lady Bracknell that they are suitable candidates for marriage? After all, “the one charm about marriage is that it makes a life of deception absolutely necessary for both parties.”

About
Showtimes
Artists
Reviews
Special Events

About the Play

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam brings his talent for refreshing the classics to this effervescent comedy of manners. Filled with Wilde’s sparkling wit, piercing social satire and trademark wordplay, this well-loved classic is certain to delight this holiday season!

Showtimes

Evenings
Tuesdays – Saturdays 7:30pm
select Sundays at 6pm

Matinees
Saturdays 3pm
select Sundays at 2pm
select Wednesdays at 3pm

This is a reserved seat venue. Doors to the performance space will open approximately 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the performance.
There is no late seating or readmittance.
For performances listed as “Sold Out,” contact the Box Office for more information about our standby and wait list options as well as for assistance locating currently available dates and times.

See Full Show Calendar ›

Meet the Artists

	Anita Chandwaney* (Miss Prism)
	Shannon Cochran* (Lady Bracknell)
	Aaron Todd Douglas* (Reverend Canon Chasuble)
	Alex Goodrich* (John Worthing)
	Steve Haggard* (Algernon Moncrieff)
	Rebecca Hurd (Cecily Cardew)
	Jennifer Latimore* (Gwendolen Fairfax)
	Ross Lehman* (Lane/Merriman)
	Adam Wesley Brown* (u/s John Worthing)
	Patrick Clear* (u/s Reverend Canon Chasuble, Lane/Merriman)
	Isabel Thompson (u/s Gwendolen Fairfax, Cecily Cardew)
	Karen Janes Woditsch* (u/s Lady Bracknell, Miss Prism)

Oscar Wilde (Writer)
Michael Halberstam (Director)
Pedro Castillo García (Dramaturg)
Eva Breneman (Dialect Coach)
Collette Pollard (Scenic Designer)
Mara Blumenfeld (Costume Designer)
John Culbert (Lighting Designer)
Josh Schmidt (Sound Designer)
Scott Dickens (Properties Master)
David Castellanos* (Production Stage Manager)
Peter Andersen (Assistant Director)
Janelle Boudreau (Assistant Stage Manager)

*Denotes a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers

Reviews

“Earnest and elegant! [For] a classy Christmas outing with the family…this production will serve you well.”
Chicago Tribune

“A classy paragon of comedy style and sophistication. Wilde’s wry wordplay is wonderful!”
Daily Herald

“The casting here is impeccable, the delivery is crisp and the principal actors play off one another with an often silly abandon that makes for a fun evening at the theatre!”
Newcity Stage

“One of the most daring and socially significant comedies ever penned in the English language.”
Chicago Tribune

“Hilarious! [A] charming production.”
Splash Magazine

“A delightful addition to a holiday season.”
Chicago Theatre and Arts

“A superbly paced, colorful and visually stunning production!”
Conversations with Ed Tracy

Special Events

Save the dates for these special events!

Accessible Performances

Open-Captioned performance: Friday, December 15, 2017 at 7:30pm

ASL-Interpreted performance: Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 7:30pm

Accessibility Services >>

Sunday Spotlight

Sunday, December 3, 2017 after the matinee performance

Are you curious about the world that surrounds your favorite plays? Our Sunday Spotlight series offers you access to the finest speakers, scholars and cultural leaders. Tracy C. Davis, Ethel M. Barber Professor of Performing Arts at Northwestern University and a specialist in 19^th century British theatre history, will talk with Director of New Work & Dramaturgy Bobby Kennedy about the significance and legacy of Oscar Wilde’s plays.

The Making of... The Importance of Being Earnest

Monday, December 11, 2017 at 6:30pm

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes? The Making of... series offers you an insider view of what goes into creating each production at WT. Costume Designer Mara Blumenfeld will talk about the inspiration behind the clothes worn by the cast of Earnest and in what ways they are and are not faithful to the 1890s.

Post-Show Conversation: The Word

Join us after every Tuesday evening performance (excluding First Week and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute discussion of the play, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.

Post-Show Conversation: The Artist

Join us after every Wednesday evening performance (excluding First Week and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute talk-back featuring actors from the production, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.

Pre-Show Conversation: Up Close

Join us at 6:45pm before every Thursday evening performance (excluding First Week and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute primer on the context and content of the play, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.