Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance Of Being Earnest” was considered a hit in the 1800s and had been played just about everywhere since. His sharp wit and mastery of comedy in just the right places made this piece a gem and appreciated in the theatre world.
Along comes award winner Paul Gorden (book, lyrics and music) and Emmy winner Jay Gruska (music). Together they bring “Being Earnest” into the ’60s as a musical. Using much of Wilde’s dialogue from the original “Earnest” and adding some from some of his other pieces, the work retains Wilde’s incorrigible, irreverent wit and farce.
Director Robert Kelly directs with a fast moving and humorous hand that keeps the piece within Wilde’s parameters and still reaches into the time change.
Superbly cast, each character develops and touches the audience with excellent timing. Euan Morton is Algernon Moncrieff, Hayden Tee plays Jack Worthing and Maureen McVerry is Lady Bracknell (a role that was sometimes played by a man). Add Mindy Lynn as Gwendolen, Riley Krull as Cecily, Diana Torres Koss as Miss Prism and Brian Herndon in a number of roles, and the strong cast is complete.
The Mondrian and imaginative ’60s outfits by Furmiko Bielefeldt grasp attention and the humor of the times. Joe Ragey’s sets are delightfully interesting.
Musical director William Liberatore’s and his group of musicians as always deliver music that is first rate.
Here you have a great gathering of talent and an author of a super standard that has stood the ages. Messing with it is a challenge. “Being Earnest” as a musical is well done entertainment – with a few reservations.
Where: Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View
Through: April 28
Tickets: $23-$73
Details: (650) 463-1960 or visit www.theatreworks.org.
