TCNJ News

For Immediate Release

February 3, 2010

 

Shakespeare ’70 Presents The Importance of Being Earnest

EWING, NJ ... Shakespeare ’70, Mercer County’s only classical repertory company, will perform Oscar Wilde’s perfect comedy of manners The Importance of Being Earnest at the Don Evans Black Box Theater in Kendall Hall at The College of New Jersey.

Performance dates will be February 4-6, 11-13 at 8 P.M. and February 14 at 2:00 P.M. A silent auction will take place before the performance on February 13. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for students and $10 for seniors, TCNJ faculty and staff, and per ticket for group of 10 or more.

Oscar Wilde was a master of social commentary, and Victorian aristocrats often provided targets for works like The Importance of Being Earnest. The production, directed by John F . Erath , professor emeritus of English, follows a country bachelor who goes by the name Ernest when he pops up to the city and his friend Algernon, senior English major Ray Fallon of Haddonfield, who seeks a thrill by becoming Ernest in the country.

Jack proposes to Gwendolen Fairfax, alumna Gina Yanuzzi, while Algernon, posing as Jack's wicked brother Ernest, falls in love with Jack's ward, Cecily, senior sociology and communication studies double major Madeline Patrick. Carol Thompson as the explosive Lady Bracknell, alumna Janet Quartarone as Miss Prism, the governess, Charles Leeder as Dr. Chasuble, the county vicar, Tom Curbishley as Algernon’s fussy butler Lane, and alumni Patrick Albanesius as the dour Merriman and Michael Krahel as Gribsby, the London lawyer, offer standout performances in this hilarious production.

The Importance of Being Earnest is produced in association with The College of New Jersey. Shakespeare ’70 Inc is funded in part by the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission in association with the NJ State Council on the Arts, Department of State. For more information, visit www.shakespeare70.org .

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