UIS Theatre presents "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde

The Theatre Program at the University of Illinois Springfield presents The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, opening Friday, October 30. Six performances will be presented in the Studio Theatre, on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center at UIS - on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, October 30, 31, and November 1, and Thursday, Friday, Saturday, November 5, 6, and 7. All shows will begin at 7:30 p.m., except the Sunday performance (November 1), which will begin at 2 p.m.

UIS Associate Professor and Director of Theatre Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson will direct with scenic design by UIS Assistant Professor of Theatre Dathan Powell.

In the Oscar Wilde play, Algernon Moncrieff (Algy) and Jack Worthing are young Englishmen who are both looking for a little excitement in their aristocratic lives. To this end, they have each invented alter egos, in order to call themselves away from high society doldrums. For Algy, there’s “Bunbury,” who requires constant attention and for Jack, there’s “Earnest,” a name he has adopted for escapes to London from the country. Enter Algy’s aunt, Lady Bracknell, and her daughter, Gwendolyn Fairfax—with whom Jack falls in love. As Jack labors to pass Lady Bracknell’s inspections, Algy has fallen in love with Jack’s ward, Cecily Cardew. Both Gwendolyn and Cecily reveal that any marriage-worthy suitor of theirs must first possess a confidence-inspiring name such as “Earnest.” What unfolds is a hilarious, yet perceptive and universal journey for the young men, as they learn who they really are in name and in character…all of which leads toward their final understanding of the vital importance of being “earnest.”

The cast includes UIS students Beatrice Bonner, Andrew Conrad, Diamond Dixon, Christopher Vemagiri Marbaniang and Alessandro Vazquez. UIS alum Curtis Meinhardt and community members Melissa Betty and Mary Myers are also cast members.

Ticket prices are $14 for adults; $12 for senior citizens (65 or older with a picture I.D.); $10 for UIS Faculty/Staff; $8 for UIS students (and all other college-level students) with a valid, current i-card or college I.D. card; and $6 for 17 and under. Please note that a service charge from Sangamon Auditorium, not included in the prices above, will be added to each ticket price, at the time of purchase. To avoid a higher service charge, buying tickets in person at the Sangamon Auditorium ticket office is highly recommended. You may also purchase tickets over the phone by calling 217/206-6160.

For more information on the production, please visit the UIS Theatre website at www.uis.edu/theatre.