July 25 – October 20
![earnest poster](https://media.americanshakespearecenter.com/app/uploads/2024/03/25115120/earnest-poster.png)
BY OSCAR WILDE
“The very essence of romance is uncertainty.” – Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde’s brilliant and wicked The Importance of Being Earnest, is a comedic masterpiece that unravels a web of mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and clever deceptions. When two young gentlemen decide to adopt fictitious personas to escape the constraints of societal expectations, a whirlwind of hilarious misunderstandings ensues. As love interests collide and secret pasts are revealed, Wilde weaves a delightful tapestry of wit, absurdity, and biting satire.
Don your finest apparel and join us at the Blackfriars Playhouse for an exquisite evening of uproarious laughter as a cast of charming characters, directed by José Zayas, navigate a world where triviality and earnest pursuits take center stage. And don’t forget the cucumber sandwiches!
We will offer a Pay-What-You-Will Preview for The Importance of Being Earnest on Thursday, July 25. Please arrive before curtain and check in with the Box Office to claim your PWYW seat on a first-come, first-served basis. Donations will be accepted after the show.
Run time: approx. 2.5 hours, including 2 intermissions
Age requirement: 7 and up (read full policies here)
Read more about our Staging Conditions and Casting Practices here.