Photo Flash: First Look at A Noise Within's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Beginning Tonight

A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre company, continues its 2014-2015 REVOLUTIONary season with The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, which opens tonight, September 27 and runs through Saturday, November 22, 2014. Directed by five-time L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award-winner Michael Michetti, this is the second production of The Importance of Being Earnest for A Noise Within, which mounted the play originally in their 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

The Importance of Being Earnest (subtitle: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People) is a play by Irish playwright and poet Oscar Wilde. Its high farce and witty dialogue have helped make it Wilde's most enduringly popular play. First performed in February 1895 at the St James's Theatre in London, this classic satire features a protagonist (John/Jack Worthing, alternately known as Ernest) whose alias allows him to escape burdensome social obligations. The play masterfully embraces several compelling themes: the Victorians' exaltation of maintaining appearances at all costs; the secret lives necessitated by the rigidity of these social conventions; and the aristocracy's devotion to the perpetuation of class structures. The Importance of Being Earnest is one of the most-produced plays in the English language and has been adapted for the cinema on three occasions -- most famously in the 1952 film, in which Dame Edith Evans reprised her celebrated interpretation of Lady Bracknell.

The cast features Christopher Salazar* as John Worthing, J.P., Adam Haas Hunter* as Algernon Moncrieff, Alberto Isaac* as Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D., Apollo Dukakis* as Merriman/Lane, Jean Gilpin* as Lady Bracknell, Carolyn Ratteray* as Hon. Gwendolyn Fairfax, Marisa Duchowny* as Cecily Cardew, and Jill Hill* as Miss Prism. *Denotes member of Actors' Equity

Scenic designs by Jeanine Ringer, costumes by Garry Lennon, lighting designs by Adam Frank, wigs and make-up by Monica Sabedra, and original compositions and sound design by designer Bruno Louchouarn; all contribute to this newly imagined production.

This engagement of The Importance of Being Earnest includes a symposium tomorrow, Sept 24 at 7:30 PM (symposium starts at 6:00pm, play at 7:30pm) by a noted scholar, who will discuss the play prior to that evening's performance. There will also be post-performance conversations with the artists of The Importance of Being Earnest on Oct 5 at 2 PM, Nov 14 at 8PM and Nov 21 at 8 PM. A Noise Within is located on the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Sierra Madre Villa Avenue at 3352 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107. Single ticket prices for The Importance of Being Earnest start at $40. Contact the A Noise Within box office in person, via phone at 626-356-3100, or online at www.ANoiseWithin.org for updated pricing and seat availability.

Photo Credit: Craig Schwartz

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