by Christine Sarkes

“In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing.” – Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax, The Importance of Being Earnest

In the spirit of Oscar Wilde’s Gwendolen Fairfax, I am beginning a review of The Importance of Being Earnest, Guthrie Theater’s brilliantly acted and amusing season opener, as I have never done before–with unabashed praise for Susan Tsu’s costume design. The essence of the play is in its biting and hysterical, in all senses of the word, indictment of superficial British turn-of-the-century manners and morals. So why not highlight the beautifully intricate and gorgeous gowns that follow one after another onstage? I was not alone in my admiration; I heard murmurs of approval throughout the audience.

With that aside, the play offers snappy banter, broad physical comedy, exuberant performances, brilliant dialogue and a titillating peek into the Downton Abbey life of 1905’s rich and famous. Oscar Wilde does not hold back. His characters are haughty, self-absorbed, spoiled and clueless. We grow to love them anyway for their absolute commitment to the nonsensical romantic farce playing out before them. This production is theater entertainment at its absolute best.

The story focuses on two bachelors, John ‘Jack’ Worthing (Corey Brill) and Algernon ‘Algy’ Moncrieff (Michael Doherty), who create alter egos named Ernest to escape their obligation-filled lives. For country-dwelling Jack, his fictitious brother Ernest creates a perfect excuse to visit London and swoon over Gwendolen (Helen Cespedes), Algernon’s cousin and daughter of the formidable Lady Bracknell (Sally Wingert). For city-dwelling Algernon, his imaginary, sickly friend Bunbury frequently calls him away to the country, where he endeavors to meet Jack’s pretty, young ward, Cecily Cardew (Adelin Phelps). As the scenes shift from London to Jack’s country manor, the pair struggle to keep up with their own stories and become tangled in a web of deception and predictable setbacks.

Doherty is brilliantly cast as the scene-chewing, ‘Drama Queen’ Algy, who alternates between boredom and hysterical passion as he searches for love and an antidote to his soul-draining idleness. Wingert soars as the haughty, fiercely opinionated Lady Bracknell, who represents the ruthless arrogance and conservatism of Victorian England. Phelps and Cespedes are endearingly confident in their worth as romantic partners and as they run circles around the men. Brill does a fine job of portraying the hapless Jack as do Bob Davis as Reverand Chasuble and Michelle O’Neill as Miss Prism. An all-around stellar cast that succeeds in bringing Wilde’s beloved social farce to its fullest, funniest life.

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. Directed by David Ivers, with Mikiko Suzuki MacAdams (Scenic Designer), Susan Tsu (Costume Designer), Philip Rosenberg (Lighting Designer), Scott W. Edwards (Sound Designer), and Carla Steen (Resident Dramaturg). Now through October 15 at the Guthre Theater, Wurtele Thrust Stage, 818 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis. Tickets from $29-$82 at 612.377.2224 (Box Office) or guthrietheater.org. Recommended for ages 12 and up, children under 5 are not admitted.