Audiences will find out during the University of Houston's School of Theatre & Dance production of Oscar Wilde's comedy "The Important of Being Earnest." Directed by Master of Fine Arts directing alum Jonathan Gonzalez, the play runs Oct. 9-18 in UH's Quintero Theatre (located in the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts building).
Wilde wrote "The Importance of Being Earnest" in 1894, and it premiered in London a year later. The play, with its sharp dialogue and high society satire, marked his last prolific work. To this day, it remains a classic.
"It is one of the wittiest plays ever written in the English language and one of the funniest," Gonzalez said. "It's the gold standard by which all ‘comedies of manners' are measured. Wilde takes the cliches of the Victorian theatre and twists them in unexpected and delightful ways."
Although "The Importance of Being Earnest" is rooted in another century, it still resonates with contemporary audiences. A recent production at Ontario's Stratford Shakespeare Festival earned rave reviews from audiences and critics. The play's enduring appeal, Gonzalez said, stems from Wilde's comical take on timeless themes.
"Topics like marriage, class, death and wealth are skewered, but in a very ‘civilized' way, and I think that is part of the charm," he said. "Through satire Wilde covers universal topics which are always relevant."
Tickets for "The Importance of Being Earnest" are $20; $15 for faculty and staff and $10 for students and seniors. They can be purchased at the School of Theatre & Dance box office and reserved by calling 713-743-2929. For more details, visit http://www.theatredance.uh.edu/.
| WHAT: | "The Importance of Being Earnest" |
| WHEN: | 8 p.m., Oct. 9-10, 14-17 2 p.m., Oct. 11, 18 |
| WHERE: |
Jose Quintero Theatre |
| WHO: | UH School of Theatre & Dance |
For more information about UH, visit the university's Newsroom at www.uh.edu/newsroom.