Crown City Theatre Presents “The Importance of Being Earnest”

Crown City Theatre Presents “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Written by Oscar Wilde.  Directed by Michael Marchak.

February 1 – March 31, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm.

Crown City Theatre, 11031 Camarillo Street, North Hollywood, 91602

This is a classic of literature, by any measure. 

“The importance of Being Earnest” holds such an iconic position in the cannon of the English play that it is somewhat of a hard task to take on.  At its heart it is a farce, but laced with liberal amounts of social commentary and a plethora of Wilde’s effortlessly charming and endlessly cunning prodding of the Victorian upper class and their hypocrisy, illogical social conventions and their trivial notions of the seriousness of marriage.

It’s also very, very British…and must be performed that way…another obstacle to leap. 

So Crown City dared to take it on and has done so with the sheer unadulterated nerve of the devoted. 

Each actor gives their absolute all to these wonderful characters and the ridiculous situations they seem to revel in.  It’s a lovely space and as usual attention has been spent to ensure the staging is flawless and the wardrobe perfection.  Michael Mullen serves a brilliant turn as the epitome of the Grande Dame, Lady Bracknell.  Indeed the entire cast do an excellent job, the energy is high and the gloriousness of one of the world’s most adored gods of literature fully honored as the actors trip lightly through the delicious minefield that is Oscar Wilde at his absolute best.

I had a wonderful evening and they have smartly divided the three acts with 10 minutes break between…it is a long play.  This really added something a bit special to the general grandeur of the evening.  In short, I loved it!

Bravo to lovely people at Crown City Theatre for yet again giving us an utterly joyous production of what they enjoy most…the best of the best, performed with passion and jubilation and delight!

Get yourself down to Crown City! February 1 – March 31, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm.

https://www.crowncitytheatre.com 

John “Jack” Worthing – Bobby Slaski

Algernon Moncrieff – Hans Obma/Neil Unger

Rev. Canon Chasuble – Bobby Reed

Merriman/Lane – Will Potter

Lady Bracknell – Michael Mullen

Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax – Riegan Sage/Ariel Barber

Cecily Cardew – Megan Cochrane

Miss Prism – Mouchette Van Helsdingen

The creative team includes Joanne Lamb (Scenic Design), Michael Mullen (Costume Design), Zad Potter (Lighting Design), Joe Shea (Sound Design), Renee Cohen (Casting), and Zad Potter (Production Stage Manager).