The Importance of Being Earnest
By Oscar Wilde
Directed by Nathan Mittleman
Presented in The History Museum’s Historic Oliver Gardens
SYNOPSIS:
John Worthing, a carefree young gentleman, is the inventor of a fictitious brother, “Ernest,” whose wicked ways afford John an excuse to leave his country home from time to time and journey to London, where he stays with his close friend and confidant, Algernon Moncrieff. Algernon has a cousin, Gwendolen Fairfax, with whom John is deeply in love. During his London sojourns, John, under the name Ernest, has won Gwendolen’s love, for she strongly desires to marry someone with the confidence-inspiring name of Ernest. But when he asks for Gwendolen’s hand from the formidable Lady Bracknell, John finds he must reveal he is a foundling who was left in a handbag at Victoria Station. This is very disturbing to Lady Bracknell, who insists that he produce at least one parent before she consents to the marriage.
Returning to the country home where he lives with his ward Cecily Cardew and her governess Miss Prism, John finds that Algernon has also arrived under the identity of the nonexistent brother Ernest. Algernon falls madly in love with the beautiful Cecily, who has long been enamored of the mysterious, fascinating brother Ernest.
With the arrival of Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen, chaos erupts. It is discovered that Miss Prism is the absent-minded nurse who twenty years ago misplaced the baby of Lady Bracknell’s brother in Victoria Station. Thus John, whose name is indeed Ernest, is Algernon’s elder brother, and the play ends with the two couples in a joyous embrace.
source: Utah Shakespeare Festival
AUDITION/CALLBACK INFORMATION:
Audition/Callback location: South Bend Civic- 403 N. Main Street, South Bend, Indiana — Enter through front doors off Main Street
IMPORTANT DATES
AUDITIONS
MONDAY, APRIL 21 (6:00-8:00 PM)
OR
TUESDAY, APRIL 22 (6:00-8:00 PM)
OR
TUESDAY, APRIL 22 (6:00-8:00 PM)
CALL BACK DATE:
THURSDAY, APRIL 24 6:00-8:00 PM
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
First Rehearsal: MONDAY, MAY 5TH @ 6 PM
Rehearsals will be held:
MONDAY-THURSDAY FROM 6 TO 9 PM IN THE WARNER STUDIO UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
Tech week begins: MONDAY, JUNE 9TH
Dress rehearsals begin: MONDAY, JUNE 16TH
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, June 19th @ 7:00 pm – PREVIEW NIGHT
FRIDAY, June 20th @ 7:00 pm – OPENING NIGHT
SATURDAY, June 21st @ 7:00 pm
SUNDAY, June 22nd @ 7:00 pm
THURSDAY, June 26th @ 7:00 pm
FRIDAY, June 27th @ 7:00 pm
SATURDAY, June 28th @ 7:00 pm
SUNDAY, June 29th @ 7:00 pm – Followed by mandatory striking of the set/costumes/props/etc. Details will be given prior to final week of dress rehearsals.
*PLEASE BE AWARE ADDITIONAL SPONSOR SHOWS OR A THIRD WEEKEND OF SHOWS MAY BE ADDED BASED ON DEMAND. NO NEW SHOWS WILL BE ADDED TO THE SCHEDULE AFTER JUNE 2ND. ANY AND ALL ADDITIONS WILL BE COMMUNICATED IMMEDIATELY BY PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT*
What To Prepare
Audition Requirements:
Please prepare one of the monologues listed in the audition form (link above). You may read directly from the text during the audition. Memorization is not required.
Additional Information
Audition/Callback location: South Bend Civic- 403 N. Main Street, South Bend, Indiana — Enter through main doors off Main Street
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
John “Jack” Worthing, J.P. (Justice of the Peace) – (aka Ernest) A wealthy young gentleman who takes life seriously. He is a friend of Algernon whose behavior he sometimes deplores. Jack is Cecily’s guardian and is in love with Gwendolen Fairfax. Age: late 20’s to early 30’s
Algernon Moncrieff – The brilliantly witty and blithely selfish nephew of Lady Bracknell and cousin to Gwendolen Fairfax. He is Jack’s best friend and is in love with Cecily Cardew. Age: late 20’s to early 30’s
Gwendolen Fairfax – Algernon’s young, aristocratic, and charmingly superficial cousin and Lady Bracknell’s daughter. She is in love with Jack. Age: 20’s
Lady Bracknell – Domineering, cunning, mercenary, and snobbish. She is Gwendolen’s mother, and she means to see her daughter well-married. A formidable woman, Lady Bracknell is used to having her own way in all ways. Age: 50-65
Cecily Cardew – A young woman given to romantic fantasies and intrigued by the wickedness of Jack’s brother. She is the simpler, more innocent country girl to Gwendolyn’s sophisticated city girl. Age: 18
Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D. (Doctor of Divinity) – The pleasant rector on Jack’s estate and has a crush on Miss Prism. Age: 55+
Miss Prism – Cecily’s pedantic governess. She is somewhat puritanical, but her softer side leans toward Dr. Chasuble. She once wrote an important novel. Age: 50+
Lane – Algernon’s butler/maid. Lane only appears in Act I. Age: 40+
Merriman – Jack’s butler/maid at the Manor House. Merriman only appears in Act II and III. Age 40+
Nathan mittleman
Director