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The Importance of Being Earnest

“I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone.”

Oscar Wilde’s comedy of manners is brought to Broadway for the first time in 34 years in this critically acclaimed production. Director Brian Bedford gives a pitch-perfect performance in the role of the formidable Lady Bracknell, as men-about-town John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff pursue fair ladies Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew.

Hosted by David Hyde Pierce, the presentation is punctuated by an intermission feature from actor Alfred Molina and UCLA professor Michael Hackett discussing the life and works of Oscar Wilde.

The Importance of Being Earnest is co-produced by Roundabout Theatre, L.A. Theatre Works and BY Experience. Lead funding for the filming and educational distribution is generously provided by the Sidney E. Frank Foundation.

Directed by

Brian Bedford

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Reviews

New York Times

"One of the great performances of the season; to miss it would most definitely look like carelessness."
Hollywood Reporter

"Oscar Wilde's wittiest comedy sparkles in this Broadway production, and when its director is onstage, it delivers pure bliss."
Wall Street Journal

"Brilliantly zany...so sharp-witted and closely observed that it demands to be accepted on its own daring terms."

Cast & creative team

Characters

Host

David Hyde Pierce
Host

Michael Hackett
Host

Alfred Molina
Lane

Paul O'Brien
Algernon Moncrieff

Santino Fontana
John Worthing

David Furr
Lady Bracknell

Brian Bedford
Gwendolen Fairfax

Sara Topham
Cecily Cardew

Charlotte Parry
Miss Prism

Dana Ivey
Reverend Canon Casuble

Paxton Whitehead
Merriman

Tim MacDonald
Servant

Amanda Leigh Cobb

Team

Oscar Wilde

Writer
Brian Bedford

Director
Desmond Heeley

Scenic and Costume Designer
Duane Schuler

Lighting Designer
Drew Levy

Sound Designer
Berthold Carrière

Original Music
Paul Huntley

Hair and Wig Designer
Elizabeth Smith

Dialect Consultant
Julie Borchard-Young

Executive Producer
Robert Borchard-Young

Executive Producer
Susan A. Loewenberg

Executive Producer and Producing Director
Harold Wolpert

Executive Producer
Lenny Laxer

Executive in Charge of Production
Greg Backstrom

Associate Producer
Rebecca Habel

Associate Producer
Jill Boyd

Associate Producer
David Stern

Director for Cinema
Annette Jolles

Associate Director
Paul Miller

Lighting Director
Vicki Pearlson

Managing Director
James Ott

Director of Finance
Christina Montano

Associate Producer
Cathy Reinking

Casting Director
Michael Price Nelson

Audience Services and Live Series Marketing Manager
Jeff Rogers

Senior Producer, Radio
Myke Weiskopf

Associate Producer, Radio
Trond Knutsen

Audio Sales Director
Rachel Yamshon

Audio Sales Assistant
Dennis Ramirez

Graphic Designer
Ronn Lipkin

Post Production Coordinator
Teri Allen

Bookkeeper
Cyndi Gonzales

Office Manager
Lucy Pollak

Publicist
Luke Mines

Videographer/Editor

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