Review: Stage West's The Importance of Being Earnest is "Wildely" entertaining!

 

Photography by Evan Michael Woods

The Importance of Being Earnest

By Oscar Wilde

Directed by Ashley Puckett Gonzales

Produced by Stage West

Audience Rating: PG

Running Time: 2 hours with one 15 min intermission and one short intermission for scene change-over.

Accessible Seating: Available

Hearing Devices: Available

Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available

ASL Showing: Thursday, Sept 19

Sound Level: Comfortable Sound level throughout

Noises and Visuals to Prepare For: None of note

Reviewed by Natalie Shaw

My father used to say, "You played pretend until the cows came home!" If you're not from the south or the mid-west or the country, bare with me. This idiom is a bit of a puzzler, but it means that I played pretend, as a little girl, all day long and even as I was falling asleep at night; nonstop! But, it does make you wonder, who are these cows? (because my family didn't own any) and why aren't they home? Where did they go? Somebody must've left the gate open! And, indeed, the gate of my mind was forever open to fantasies and pretending. It's no surprise that I ended up a Theatre kid, now adult, who revels in the what-if stories, like so many of you may be as well. Alas, the game of pretend, excepting the stage, ceases at adulthood in our day-to-day lives. But, what if it didn't? 

The Importance of Being Earnest by the famous Oscar Wilde examines this very question! It seems he too played pretend "until the cows came home" in his youth! He too marvels at the what if stories. I am, thus validated! His story is one of John "Jack" Worthing (played here with sophisticated charm by Micah JL Brooks) who, while in the country, pretends to be his fictional brother Earnest Worthing, simply for fun, pleasure, and (naturally) in pursuit of girl: the beautiful Gwendolyn Fairfax (played with alluring seduction by **Amber Marie Flores.) As one to keep lively company, his close friend, confidant and cousin to Miss Fairfax, Algernon "Algie" Moncrief (**Lee George ) also enjoys some mischief, having created a fictitious friend named "Bunbury" whom he claims to visit in the country, by way of avoiding social obligations. Thankfully, his clever house servant, Lane, played splendidly by Sarah Comley Caldwell is always quick, although not always eager to oblige his "Bunburry" whims. When Algie learns that Jack has a "little cousin," and ward Cecily Cardew (played with calculated sweetness by Cheyenne Haynes) who is just eighteen years old and lives at Jack's country estate, he makes use of "Bunbury," and pretends to be THE Earnest Worthing, himself, as a means to meet her and, likely, seduce her. This is, indeed, cringe worthy. If you're following, this would make Cecily and Earnest cousins, first cousins, in fact, as the play proves. The same is true between Jack and Gwendolyn, the play's primary couple. (*insert my ewww face, here.) However-- we'll excuse this, given that this was written in another time period. **Paul T. Taylor plays the Lady Bracknell we love to loathe.  Having earned her station, Lady Bracknell believes that all socialites ought to play by the rules, which puts her in great position to affirm or deny the courtship of the young lovers. Jack, unfortunately, does not tick all the boxes as a proper suiter for Lady Bracknell's daughter, Gwendolyn Fairfax. Despite her denial, the lovers remain engaged at heart!

The no-frills couple of the play, Reverend Canon Chasuble and Miss Prism keep us on the straight and narrow, but not without its share of romance. *Steven Young's Reverend Chasuble is one hell of a lover for a man of the cloth, but **Shannon J. McGrann's stoic Miss Prism takes pleasure in having her fire finally lit! Although their times onstage are brief in comparison, they are, without question, the highlight of this production! But, as most mature couples prove, they keep their passions private and publicly in good taste. Young's Reverend is one who is caring and compassionate, as well, softening **McGrann's intellectual and composed Prism. I would love to see their spin-off story! 

Fun and Flashy costumes are designed by Sarah Mosher. Thoughtful and entertaining lighting is designed by Holli Price, while melodramatic music and sound design is provided by Emilee Biles. A circa 1990 set design by Bob Lavallee is met with close attention to detail, with props and set decor provided by Lynn Lovett.  

The Importance of Being Earnest is top-full of delightful shenanigans and delicious tomfoolery. Don't miss your chance to see this whimsical Stage West production! The Importance of Being Earnest runs though September 22. Tickets can be purchased at stagewest.org.

Enjoy! 

Natalie Shaw

* indicates Dallas Theatre Journal Pro-Focus Artist. 
** indicates AEA Performer

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