Molina, Ryall, Etc. Set for Musicals Tonight! Ernest in Love

Casting has been announced for Ernest in Love, which will run as part of Musicals Tonight!at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre. Inspired by Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, Ernest in Love retells's Wilde's play in musical form, with songs like "Mr. Bunbury," "Metaphorically Speaking," and "A Handbag is not a Proper Mother."

Ernest in Love is, according to press notes, "the story of Algernon and his best friend Jack, whose make-believe brother Ernest supposedly lives in London. Jack's fiance, Gwendolen, seems to only love him because he told her his name was Ernest, while Algernon romances Jack's ward Cecily, who believes she is in love with Jack's non-existent brother."  The musical features book and lyrics by Anne Croswell and music by Lee Pockriss.
 
The show will be directed by Tom Mills, and feature Bill Stanley as musical director.

Casting is as follows:

Jack Worthing: Blake Hackler
Gwendolen Fairfax: Lauren Molina
Algernon Moncrieff: Nick Dalton
Cecily Cardew: Melissa Bohon
Lady Bracknell: Deborah Jean Templin
Miss Prism: Sarah Dacey Charles
Dr. Chasuble: William Ryall
Perkins: Roger Rifkin
Lane: Selby Brown
Effie: Katherine McClain
Alice: Kathryn Feeney
Ensemble: Robert Anthony Jones, Jody Cook, Joseph Torello, Michael Jennings Mahoney

Founded by Mel Miller, Musicals Tonight! has won an Obie revived 37 musicals and staged them in concert form since 1998. For more information, visit musicalstonight.org.

Ernest in Love runs March 20--April 1, playing Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30PM, Wednesdays and Fridays at 2PM and Sundays at 3PM. All performances are open for review.

Tickets are $20. For reservations, call (212) 868-4444 or visit smarttix.com. The Mcginn/Cazale Theatre is at 2162 Broadway, at 76th St. in Manhattan.

Photo of Lauren Molina by Ben Strothmann