Importance of ‘Earnest’
At Lost Nation Theater

All turns out well for Jack (or is it Ernest?) and Gwendolyn (top right) Algernon and Cecily (Caleb Probst and Kate Kenney, lower left) in Lost Nation Theater's production of "The Importance of Being Earnest," Thursdays-Sundays, June 19-July 6.

Not even an historic St. Valentine’s Day snowstorm in 1895 could prevent the opening of "The Importance of Being Earnest; A Trivial Comedy for Serious People," Oscar Wilde’s latest confection for the London Theatre, from becoming the major social and cultural event of the season! A little more than 113 years later, this stylish romantic comedy opens the summer season for Montpelier’s Lost Nation Theater, with performances Thursdays-Sundays, June 19-July 6 at its home within the Montpelier City Hall Arts Center.

Part satire, part parody and part intellectual farce, Wilde paints a devastatingly witty portrait of Victorian England—a world in which, despite the ridiculous, love can conquer all, if only one is earnest! Beneath this brilliant comedy lurks a slightly more serious subtext that takes uncannily accurate aim at the hypocrisy of its age. The play is built upon a pun of the name "Ernest" and Wilde’s weapons of choice—amusing dialogue, eyebrow-arching epigrams and razor-sharp repartee.

The plot centers on John Worthing, who is "Jack" in the country, but "Ernest" in the city. He’s met his true love, Gwendolyn, in the city—which is very well, since she will only marry someone of the name of Ernest (the name produces "vibrations.") Meanwhile, Jack’s friend Algie poses as "Ernest" in the country and falls in love with Jack’s ward, Cecily. The plot thickens when Gwendolyn surprises Jack in the country and uncovers who he really is.

The cast includes Caleb Probst and Kate Kenney as the wry and witty Algernon and his young love Cecily Cardew, Joshua Davis, making his LNT debut as the seemingly straight-laced Jack Worthing, and the Irish Classical Theater Company’s Megan Callahan as the fashion-conscious Gwendolyn. Rounding out the cast are comedic favorites Larry Lambeth and Jocelyn Parrish, artistic director Kim Bent, and central Vermont’s own Emme Erdossy.

Curtain time is 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays; and 7 p.m., Thursdays and Sundays—except for the final weekend, (July 3 and 6) when curtain is at 2 pm. In addition, there is a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, June 21.

Get tickets by phone at 802-229-0492 or by going online at www.lostnationtheater.org.

City Hall Arts Center is wheelchair accessible. Lost Nation Theater offers large-print programs and assisted listening devices.

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