To wit.
To Oscar Wilde, wit with sharp and biting commentary is rampant in the Antaeus production of "The Importance of Being Earnest". It's the writing. It's the breadth and depth of social commentary and the wonderfulness of Wilde's extraordinary style: at once possibly tongue in cheek and cheeky and deeply probing the times: Victorian England.
Miss Fairfax (Jules Willcox) nails it, "In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing.." Wow.
The sweeping style of all of the elements of this production seem complete. A beauty of a set. Extraordinary attention to set pieces and props, costumes and perfect lighting draw it all together.
The horses have not been spared as we enter the Antaeus on Broadway space with an elegant set depicting Victorian London (aka "town"). It is the posh home of Algernon Moncrieff (Jay Lee) . Stealing the show in Act I is Michael Yapujian as the butler. Lane in Act II) Why? Because Lane knows everything and serves with such panache that even with the ranting of the argument by the principals of the show, his understated moments serve as a foundation that I think Mr. Wilde probably intended. He doubles in Act II as Merriman with a loose limbed panache suitable for the country home of Jack/Ernest (Alex Barlas). It's a professional production, no question and the actors who portray Algernon and his pal, Ernest (Jack.. Okay?) and the girls: Gwendolyn and Cecily (Alessandra Mañón) are top notch..with some seasoning and rounding third base Miss Prism (Julia Fletcher) and the local parson (Bo Foxworth). Anne Gee Byrd as Aunt Augusta knocks the stuffing out of Lady Bracknell. The costumes are gorgeous..the lights are gorgeous The play is an old shaggy dog story of sorts with dozens of Wildean quips that elicit chuckles and sometimes a bigger laugh. Read the play. See it again and again.
What Director Gigi Bermingham, has accomplished does the show proud with some terrific physical business incorporating all the broad indicating that it seems the Victorians loved. Presentational ..more or less and obviously, the actors are having a wonderful time. It's a classic.. Like hearing a favorite song a little rearranged but still the words and the music and the jokes and the characters bring back the fun of love, mores and manners at a breakneck no nonsense pace that will leave you behind if you aren't on top of things. Pay attention!! It's a very good time. Skeptical I was about 'diversity casting'. See for yourself that it works.
(Critical note..try as I might to get photos of this show,it's on me for not figuringout how to do it from the in house PR at Antaeus.)
Ensemble Cast:
Alex Barlas as Jack / Ernest,
Anne Gee Byrd* as Lady Bracknell
Julia Fletcher* as Miss Prism
Bo Foxworth* as, The Revered
Jay Lee as Algernon
Alessandra Mañón* as Cecily
Jules Willcox* as Gwendolyn
Michael Yapujian* as Lane in Act I and Merriman in Act II
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST
by Oscar Wilde
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