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The Importance of Being Earnest

Friday – Saturday, February 21 – 23, 2019, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 24, 2019, at 3 p.m.
Kennedy Family Theatre

In 1895, Irish playwright, poet, essayist, journalist, and novelist Oscar Wilde, notorious as much for his razor-sharp wit as for his social excesses, published The Importance of Being Earnest, a play that he subtitled A Trivial Comedy for Serious People. This play would go on to be the most widely read, produced, and critically acclaimed of his prolific, though sadly short, career and life.

Wilde is required reading for any student of theatre or English literature. He uniquely propels classic, satirical comedy of manners headlong into 20th century realism, laying a foundation for the next generation of comedy greats including Noel Coward, Neil Simon, Woody Allen, and many others.

Wilde’s impact is far-reaching and for many years, we have been looking for the right opportunity to produce this play. The stars aligned for the 2018-2019 season, and Theatre at Barton is honored to be able to present Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, a play that we subtitle Simply One of the Most Brilliant Comedies of All Time.

Sit back and enjoy; and, as with all great satire, we’ll get you in the end!