“THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST” AT WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE
By Marlene S. Gaylinn
When Oscar Wilde wrote this comedy, it’s obvious that he was thinking of Shakespeare’s famous saying “ …a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” One can easily recognize that the characters, style, clever wit and even the twisted plot are similar to many of the Bard’s plays.
This is a satire of Victorian high society and the title says it all.
Two, proper, English gentlemen are trying to engage their ladies. Along the way are humorous, ridiculous situations, interferences by elderly ladies and mistaken identities – all concerning the name “Earnest” and the value placed on it. In other words, humans have not changed and that’s probably why Mark Shanahan, WCP Artistic Director chose this amusing play. The Opening Night audience agreed with Shanahan as they identified with the humor and laughed heartily.
Melissa Rain Anderson directed an entertaining, well-seasoned cast. Along with fast-talking British accents are: Michael Raver and Anthony Michael Martinez as the two, available gentlemen. Katy Tang, and Kristen Hahn, are their pretentious girlfriends. Jan Neuberger and Christine Pedi play the staunch, elderly ladies while Triney Sandoval and Mark Silence are the bewildered, supporting characters. The cartoonlike cut-out set design by James J. Fenton is outstanding and the colorful, fashionable costumes are by Annie J. Le.
For a laugh at the false values folks place on themselves, this is your ticket.
