Flat Rock Playhouse to Present THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

The Flat Rock Playhouse 2016 season will continue with Oscar Wilde's famous satire The Importance of Being Earnest, which will run from July 7th through July 24th at the Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown on Main Street in Hendersonville, NC.

What's the most important lesson a Victorian gentleman could learn? Why, The Importance of Being Earnest of course! Set in late 19th century England, The Importance of Being Earnest is Wilde's devilishly clever tale follows two friends, John "Jack" Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who use the same pseudonym "Ernest" to capture the hearts of their beloveds. Naturally, mistaken identity and hilarity ensue. As much a commentary as it is a celebration of Victorian society, The Importance of Being Earnest is sure to make you laugh, sigh and swoon.

The Importance of Being Earnest first premiered on Valentine's Day of 1895 at St. James Theatre in London, England. Since that day, the play has seen hundreds, if not thousands, of productions including a Broadway revival in 2011 and nine film and television adaptations.

Joshua Marx returns to Flat Rock after starring in the 2015 season's Over the River and Through the Woods. He stars as Jack, the upper class gentleman with a mysterious past who uses the pseudonym "Ernest" for his illicit activities. Marx hails from San Francisco where he runs his own theatre company, "Floodlight Productions."

David Lind co-stars with Marx as Algernon Moncrieff, John Worthing's irreverent, scheming friend, who steals the pseudonym "Ernest" which leads to comical confusion. Lind is new to Flat Rock, but he's no stranger to Earnest, playing the role of Jack at White Plains Performing Arts Center. Lind currently resides in New York, and has had roles in such plays as The Grapes of Wrath, The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged), and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Sharing the stage with Marx and Lind is Flat Rock newcomer Lizzie O'Hara along with Flat Rock favorites Janie Bushway, Preston Dyar, Ruth Pferdehirt, Willie Repoley and Peter Thomasson.

The Importance of Being Earnest will be directed by Flat Rock Playhouse's Artistic Director Lisa K. Bryant. Joining Bryant on the production team are Dennis C. Maulden, CJ Barnwell, George Martinat and Kurt Conway as the Scenic, Light, Costume and Sound Designers respectively. Steve Catori will be Stage Manager with Amelia Driscoll as Assistant Stage Manager. Cassidy Bowles is Props Master.

The Importance of Being Earnest is presented by Southern Alarm and Security, Van Winkle Law Firm and United Community Bank with BMW of Asheville serving as Opening Night Sponsor.

The Importance of Being Earnest will run July 7th through July 24th at The Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown. Performances Thursday evenings at 7:30PM, Friday and Saturday evenings 8:00PM, matinees Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM. Tickets start at $28 and can be purchased by calling The Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org.

Photo by Scott Treadway/Treadshots