New Hampshire Theatre Project Youth Repertory Company Presents THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

New Hampshire Theatre Project's Youth Repertory Company will present The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde's hilarious comedy of manners, on March 23-31, 2017 at West End Studio Theatre in Portsmouth NH.

The Importance of Being Ernest is one of Oscar Wilde's last and greatest works. A scathing indictment of the posh ruling class, the play is filled with subversive imagery, both obvious and subliminal. Just months after its first performance, Wilde was arrested, tried, and sentenced to two years hard labor for "gross indecency." For all its sharp wit and pointed satire, this is still a wonderfully simple and funny play about two women who fall in love with two men who are not named Earnest. The issues of class, status, family, sexuality, and relationships in The Importance of Being Earnest are still in the news almost every day, still shockingly relevant.

Director Robin Fowler says: "Because The Importance of Being Earnest feels so contemporary, I couldn't resist the temptation to lift the play from its Victorian surroundings and replant it in the world of 1960's fashion modeling; the world of Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton, pale skin, high-contrast makeup, and smoldering looks. A time when style was king and glamour was queen."

A cast of 7 hard-working teens will bring take the stage by storm. The Importance of Being Earnest features Sebastian Logue, Annika Strand, and Abi Wool all of Portsmouth, along with Connor Adams of Eliot, Sarah Hoskins of Rye, Eliza Klein of North Hampton, and Liev Manck of Durham. Youth Rep alumni Brennan Donnell of Exeter will also make a cameo appearance. The production team for The Importance of Being Earnest includes director Robin Fowler, a Youth Repertory Company alumni; stage management and costume design by Rachel Vilandre; with set and lighting design by Meghann Beauchamp. This NHTP Youth Repertory Company production is made possible by sponsorships from People's United Bank and CherylAnne Williams.

Established in 1999, the NHTP Youth Repertory Company is designed to develop skills in theatre-making, and also offer teens an outlet for creative expression, collaborative community building, and developing communication and language skills. As preparation for The Importance of Being Earnest, Youth Repertory Company actors spent a full semester studying contemporary comic acting techniques with Crystal Gould.

COMING UP THIS SPRING!! The NHTP Youth Repertory Company is seeking students ages 8-12 who are interested in working on a story theatre production of Wonder Tales, directed by Meghann Beauchamp. Rehearsals are Mondays & Wednesdays, 5-7 pm, April 30-May 24, with final performances on May 25-27. For more information, call NHTP at 603-431-6644 ext. 3 or email gen@nhtheatreproject.org.

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