Gamut Theatre Group's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Begins Tonight

Gamut Theatre Group has announced the next production of its Stage Door Series initiative for the 2013-2014 season: a staged reading of Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, which will be presented this weekend, January 17-18 and January 24-25 at 7:30 p.m. at Gamut Classic Theatre in Strawberry Square, Harrisburg.

The Stage Door Series began in 2010, and offers diverse, exciting, classically-themed programming with simpler technical elements than a Mainstage season production, focusing simply on the words and emotional journeys in a piece. All productions in the Stage Door Series are Bring Your Own Price, where any size donation buys admission to the show. The Series' motto is "Come as you are, pay what you will."

Jack loves Gwendolen. Gwendolen loves Ernest. Algernon loves Cecily. Cecily loves Ernest. But where is Ernest? This lively staged reading will navigate Oscar Wilde's romp through Victorian society, in which there is a good deal of Bunburying, eating of muffins, drinking of tea, and much learned about the fate of a very important leather hand-bag.

Stage Door Series ensemble member Karen Ruch is directing the production.

"Oscar Wilde described this play as 'A trivial comedy for serious people,'" Ruch explains. "It is chock-full of clever witticisms and sharp social commentary. Wilde delivers it all as a sweet confection of drawing room romantic comedy."

The cast of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST features Sean Adams, Jeff Luttermoser, David Ramon Zayas, Katie Miller, Alexis Campbell, Linde Stern, Kelli Kauterman and Thomas Weaver.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST will be performed as a staged reading, but this is no table read.

"This is a staged reading in true Gamut Stage Door style, where the pace is crisp, the text is front and center, and the actors' scripts become part of the action," says Ruch. "What a delightful way to pass a mid-winter evening!"

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