“A farcical feast… wickedly funny.”
The New York Times
Bas Bleu Theatre Company of Fort Collins is pleased to announce the 3rd Main Stage production of its 33rd season, The Importance of Being Earnest, a comedy of (hardly any) manners by famed playwright Oscar Wilde, directed by Associate Artistic Director Steve Keim, helmer of last season’s hilarious romp, The School For Lies.
Jack Worthing is living a double life. To escape his dull country existence, he has invented a younger brother called Ernest, whose scandalous behavior requires Jack to regularly travel to London. Once in the city, Jack becomes Ernest. He is utterly in love with Gwendolyn Fairfax, the daughter of the indomitable Lady Bracknell. When his best friend Algernon discovers that Jack has a secret identity and a beautiful niece called Cecily, he heads down to the country posing as the notorious brother, leading to a farcical tangle of mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, tempestuous tea parties, and riotous revelations.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest comedies ever written, The Importance of Being Earnest is a high rising confection of razor sharp wit, sparkling social satire, and the most famous handbag in theatre history.
The production features Bas Bleu favorite and recent Henry Award Winning Best Actress Wendy Ishii, as the formidable and ferocious Lady Augusta Bracknell, plus Brett Schreiber, Elisabeth Sells, Calvin McConnell, Elisabeth Larson, Jeffrey Bigger, Bill Moorcroft, and Robyn Krause – all caught up in a whirlwind of high society hijinks.
The Importance of Being Earnest will be also highlighted by the lighting of award-winning designer Grant Putney, as well as a steampunk soundscape by Bryce Effenbeck, with period props by Alexandra Flurry.
And, completing the effervescent mood will be character-rich costumes by OSCA winning costume designer Terri Gerrard.
The Importance of Being Earnest will be presented February 20th through March 15th at Bas Bleu Theatre, 401 Pine Street at Willow in Fort Collins. Performances begin on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and at 2:30 p.m. for the Sunday matinees.
The Gallery Bleu lobby and Bar Bleu open a half hour before curtain. Concessions, non-alcoholic beverages, beer, and wine are available for purchase to enjoy beforehand or during the performance. We ID all alcohol sales.
Tickets: $20/adult, $18/military and first responders, $10/student, and $6/Low income (please contact the box office for details about this rate). There will be a Pay-What-You-Will preview performance on Friday, February 20th. Tickets can be purchased at basbleu.org or by calling the box office at 970-498-8949.
“All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his.”