Iowa Summer Rep: The Importance of Being Earnest
In Oscar Wilde's classic Victorian masterpiece, Jack and Algernon have taken to twisting the truth to suit their needs - after all, “In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing.” But when their creative liberties, particularly regarding their own names, catch up with them as they attempt to woo two young ladies and overcome the overbearing Lady Bracknell, they must scramble to untangle themselves in the name of love. Earnest is a laugh-out-loud and thoughtful look at society, class, love and the earnestness of living a lie.
Join us for a Pre-Show Talk with the production Dramaturg, Alyssa Cokinis, 45 minutes prior to each performance (Room 206, Theatre Building). Alyssa will be discussing Oscar Wilde and the time in which the play takes place.
Immediately following the Sunday, June 18 performance, there will be a post-show discussion with the cast.
Cast
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax | Maya B. Bassuk |
| Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D. | Eric Forsythe* |
| Algernon Moncrieff | Miles Gatrell |
| Cecily Cardew | Holly Grum |
| John Worthing, J.P. | Eli Jolley |
| Miss Prism | Kristy Hartsgrove Mooers |
| Lane/Merriman | Ashley Lapointe |
| Lady Bracknell | Lisa Tejero* |
Artistic Team
| Title | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Josh Sobel |
| Scenic Designer | Nic Wilson |
| Costume Designer | Jenny Nutting Kelchen |
| Milliner, Hair, & Makeup Design | Brittany Dee Bodley |
| Lighting Designer | Jess Fialko |
| Sound Designer | Wade Hampton |
| Dialect Designer | Katherine Slaven |
| Dramaturg | Alyssa Cokinis |
| Stage Manager | Melissa L.F. Turner* |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Alexis Hinman |
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
There will be two, 10-minute intermissions during this performance.
Approximate run times:
Act I - 43 minutes
Act II - 46 minutes
Act III - 30 minutes
Free Admission
All performances and the pre-show talk are free. Tickets are not required. If you are interested in bringing a group of 10 or more, please contact David McGraw in advance at 319.335.3906.
Free performances for Iowa Summer Rep 2017 are made possible by support from the Office of the Executive Vice President & Provost and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the Department of Theatre Arts in advance at 319.335.3906.