Photo Flash: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST At ActorsNET

ActorsNET brings in 2019 by promising audiences a "Wilde" time with its presentation of Oscar Wilde's famed comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest.

One of the most produced comedies of all time, this tale of a proper young Englishman who lives a double life as a carouser enjoys a nine-performance run January 18 through February 3 at the Heritage Center Theatre in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. Maryalice Rubins-Topoleski directs a veteran cast of area favorites.

John "Jack" Worthington is by day a respected country magistrate engaged to socialite Gwendolen Fairfax. By night in the city, he transforms himself into a rogue named Ernest - thus being able to live scandalously without sullying his real identity. His best friend, Algernon Moncrief, lives in the city and - admiring the dual identity ploy -- also adopts the name of Ernest when he goes on sprees in the country. As the play progresses, both men find themselves entangled in a web of lies leading to hijinks and hilarity.

Nicholas Pecht stars as Jack, alongside Michael Krahel as Algernon. "Naturally," says the show's director, "they both give earnest performances."

Also starring are Susan Fowler as Lady Bracknell, Algernon's formidable and strict aunt; Mary Hutchens as Gwendolen, Lady Bracknell's daughter, who for some reason wanted to marry only someone named Ernest until becoming involved with Jack; Charlotte Kirkby as Cecily Cardew, Jack's ward, who falls for Algernon but believes he would be more stable if he had been named Ernest.

Costarring are Kyla Mostello Donnelly as Miss Prism, Cecily's Scripture-quoting governess, who hides a passionate past; and Tom Stevenson as Reverend Chasuble, whose outward piety masks a desire for Miss Prism. Ken Ammerman and Stuart Myles round out the cast as Merriman and Lane, manservants to Algernon and Jack.

"Oscar Wilde's delicious wit abounds throughout The Importance of Being Earnest," Ms. Rubins-Topoleski notes. "As lies get compounded while Cupid's arrows fly, we learn the past contains the mystery of a baby lost and found and we witness firsthand the truth behind Sir Walter Scott's immortal words, 'Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.'"

The Importance of Being performs weekends January 18 through February 3 at the Heritage Center Theatre, 635 N. Delmorr Avenue (Route 32), Morrisville, PA - near the Calhoun Street Bridge. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, $15 for WHYY members and students (high school and college) and $10 for children age 12 and younger. Reduced rates for groups on ten or more. For reservations, phone 215-295-3694 or email actorsnet@aol.com.