Windham Theatre Guild Presents THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST May 20

The Windham Theatre Guild ends their 2010-2011 season with one of the funniest and most performed plays ever written in the English language, The Importance of Being Earnest, opening Friday May 20th at the Burton Leavitt Theatre.

A satire of Victorian social hypocrisy, the witty play is considered Wilde's greatest dramatic achievement. Jack Worthing is a fashionable young man who lives in the country with his ward Cecily Cardew. He has invented a rakish brother named Earnest whose supposed exploits give Jack an excuse to travel to London periodically. Jack is in love with Gwendolen Fairfax, the cousin of his friend Algernon Moncrieff. Gwendolen, who thinks Jack's name is Earnest, returns his love, but her mother, Lady Bracknell, objects to their marriage because Jack is an orphan who was found in a handbag at Victoria Station. Jack discovers that Algernon has been impersonating Earnest in order to woo Cecily, who has always been in love with the imaginary Earnest. Ultimately it is revealed that Jack is really Lady Bracknell's nephew, that his real name is Earnest, and that Algernon is actually his brother. The play ends with both couples happily united.

Directing this wonderful production is Thayer Kitchen, and the cast members who will bring the story to life are Brian Ballou, Michele Gagne, Lindsay Halle, Katie Hartman, Jim Hetrick, Marie Saddlemire, Jasmine Willis and Mike Young. The Importance of Being Earnest runs May 20, 21, & June 3, 4, 9, 10 & 11, 2011 at 8 pm AND June 5, 2011 at 2 pm at the Burton Leavitt Theatre, 779 Main Street, Willimantic.

Tickets are $15 for Adults, $12 for Students and Seniors (60+), $10 for UConn/ECSU/QVCC Students and $8 for Children under 12. Make your reservations today by calling 423-2245 or by visiting windhamtheatreguild.org. Tickets will also be available at the door.