THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST to Take Upstairs Stage at Long Beach Playhouse

On September 3, Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest takes the upstairs stage in the Long Beach Playhouse's Studio Theatre.

The play takes aim at Victorian manners and values. The plot revolves around two men, non-existent characters of their invention, mistaken identities and an apparent weakness of the part of Victorian women for men named Ernest.

"It's a high-spiritEd English Victorian classic, heavy on satire and wit, this time delivered in a unique way with an entirely female cast," said Andrew Vonderschmitt, Executive and Producing Artistic Director of the Long Beach Playhouse.

For the past several years, the Studio Theatre has sought to bring edgier shows to The Playhouse patrons. Examples include A Midsummer's Night Gay Dream, Bengal Tiger in the Baghdad Zoo, Marat/Sade and Spring Awakening. Tweaking the traditional gender casting for this Wilde classic adds a previously unexplored dimension to the story.

"The female sensibilities of the performers bring new light to the gender stereotypes that are central to the play's convoluted machinations, said Vonderschmitt. "The production is directed by 'Phie Mura. Her interpretation of A Christmas Carol last year was excellent. She takes creative risks that let actors stretch their wings to the great delight of the actors and the audience."

Among the returning actors to this production are Deva Marie Gregory, Lisa March, Alyssa Garcia, Loren Bowen and Amara Phelps. Making their Playhouse debuts are: Fiona Austin, Gaelyn Wilkie and Jazmine Ramay.

The show opens September 3 and runs through October 1.

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THIS PLAY:

Pay what you can Thursday September 1- community can see this production for whatever they can afford

Two for One Preview Friday September 2 - Tickets are $12.00

Opening Night Champagne Reception with cast on September 3 - Tickets are $27.00

NEW PRICING FOR FRIDAY NIGHTS

Friday: Adults are $20.00, Seniors $18.00, and Students $14.00

Saturday and Sunday: Adults are $24.00, Seniors $21.00, and Students $14.00.

Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling 562-494-1014, option 1.

Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m.Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday from 3:00-8:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00-2:00 pm on scheduled matinees.

Long Beach Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA, 90804, right across from the Long Beach Recreation golf course. The Playhouse is community-supported theatre with programs and events that cut across age, gender, ethnic, and cultural boundaries.

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