Oscar Wilde News

Oscar Wilde called it a 'trivial comedy for serious people.' Or perhaps it's a serious comedy for trivial people. Whichever, it remains, over a century since it's first performance, 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' now at Center Stage.

The Guthrie today announced the complete cast and creative team for director Joe Dowling's upcoming production of Oscar Wilde's most perfect comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, with actress Linda Thorson (best known for her role as Tara King in the classic 1960s British television series 'The Avengers') leading the company as Lady Bracknell.

Roy Arias Theatre presents THE ROBOT FROM RECYCLANDIA, directed by Robert Perillo. A robot from outer space come to Earth and produces a reality TV show.

The Southern California Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation will present the 22nd 'Commitment To A Cure' Awards Gala on Saturday, November 14th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Beverly Wilshire hotel. The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Jane Wyman Humanitarian Award to actor Al Pacino.

Hold on tight, because Victory Gardens Theater's smash hit winter musical The Snow Queen - conceived by Chicago folk music legend Michael Smith, Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati, and master puppeteer Blair Thomas & Co - is sledding back into town for her fourth season as Chicago's #1 alternative to traditional holiday fare.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 35th Season with Souvenir, Stephen Temperley's true musical story of 'The Tone-deaf Diva' Florence Foster Jenkins. The production, directed by Steve Scott, runs November 12- December 20, 2009 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.

Red Bull Theater's Revelation Readings series will feature Eric Bogosian, Michael Emerson and more. The series began readings on September 14th and will continue the series through June 14, 2010. The series is meant to rediscover neglected classics, and to develop new plays of heightened language and classical themes.

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play that tells the bitingly funny and sensationally entertaining tale of the Weston family of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, is coming to Seattle on Tuesday, October 27 for eight performances only starring Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons in the role of the family matriarch, Violet. Tickets for the Seattle engagement are available now as part of the four-show season package, by calling (toll-free) 888-451-4042. Tickets are also available through the National Group Sales department, with a minimum of 20 tickets purchased (toll-free) 888-214-6856. Single tickets for AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY will be available in the summer. Ms. Parsons is currently appearing in the show on Broadway where The New York Times recently raved, 'Estelle Parsons gives a superb performance...sends chills down your spine. It may prove to be a crowning moment in an illustrious career.' Ms. Parsons joined the company in June, 2008. Estelle Parsons' first foray into the business began when she was hired by 'The Today Show,' first as a production assistant, then staff writer, which eventually led her to become the first female television network political news reporter. Estelle began acting and appeared in her first stage performance on Broadway in Happy Hunting. Since then, Estelle has gone on to either star in or direct more than 25 productions. Most notably, she has been nominated for the Tony Award for her performances in THE SEVEN DESCENTS OF MYRTLE, AND MISS REARDON DRINKS A LITTLE, MISS MARGARIDA'S WAY and MORNINGS AT SEVEN.

Two-time Tony Award nominee Liam Neeson will star in the upcoming film, 'Unknown White Male.' Variety is reporting that Neeson will be joined by actresses January Jones and Diane Kruger for the film, which will be directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, most recently of Orphan notoriety.

Roy Arias Theatre presents THE ROBOT FROM RECYCLANDIA, directed by Robert Perillo. A robot from outer space come to Earth and produces a reality TV show.

Guthrie Theater and Walker Art Center staff will spend this weekend preparing for next week's five-day Twin Cities fall theater bonanza, highlighted by the American stage debut of Guthrie Director Joe Dowling in Brian Friel's Faith Healer, the Guthrie/Walker co-presentation of the internationally acclaimed Druid Ireland's The Walworth Farce, an accompanying In Conversation event with Dowling and Walworth playwright Enda Walsh, two high-definition NT Live filmed presentations of the U.K. National Theatre's All's Well That Ends Well, the United States premiere of Interact Theater's Northern Lights/Southern Cross: Tales from the Other Side of the World and continuing performances of the Guthrie's 'Wilde and witty' production of The Importance of Being Earnest.

Whatsonstage.com has confirmed that Lee Mead will headline the upcoming revival of Oscar Wilde's Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, which begins a U.K. tour in January 2010. The play is adapted by Trevor Baxter and directed by Christopher Luscombe.

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) is thrilled to host the US premiere of WOLVES AT THE WINDOW (and other tales of immorality), Toby Davis' striking adaptation of 10 short stories by Britain's famous Saki, at the 2009 Brits Off Broadway festival.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 35th Season with Souvenir, Stephen Temperley's true musical story of 'The Tone-deaf Diva' Florence Foster Jenkins. The production, directed by Steve Scott, runs November 12- December 20, 2009 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.

Oscar Wilde called it a 'trivial comedy for serious people.' Or perhaps it's a serious comedy for trivial people. Whichever, it remains, over a century since it's first performance, 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' now at Center Stage.

The American Conservatory Theater Master of Fine Arts Program presents Rebecca Lenkiewicz's new play Her Naked Skin, directed by California Shakespeare Theater Artistic Director Jonathan Moscone.

Guthrie Theater and Walker Art Center staff will spend this weekend preparing for next week's five-day Twin Cities fall theater bonanza, highlighted by the American stage debut of Guthrie Director Joe Dowling in Brian Friel's Faith Healer, the Guthrie/Walker co-presentation of the internationally acclaimed Druid Ireland's The Walworth Farce, an accompanying In Conversation event with Dowling and Walworth playwright Enda Walsh, two high-definition NT Live filmed presentations of the U.K. National Theatre's All's Well That Ends Well, the United States premiere of Interact Theater's Northern Lights/Southern Cross: Tales from the Other Side of the World and continuing performances of the Guthrie's 'Wilde and witty' production of The Importance of Being Earnest.

The Jewish Theatre Workshop Presents 'The Importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde Those auditioning should prepare a short humorous speech. The director will also have sides from the script in addition to the memorized speech.

The Jewish Theatre Workshop Presents 'The Importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde Those auditioning should prepare a short humorous speech. The director will also have sides from the script in addition to the memorized speech.

On October 12, 2009, La Jolla Playhouse will join with theatres across the country in presenting a reading of the Tectonic Theater Project's new work: The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, by The Laramie Project creators Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephen Belber. This compelling and groundbreaking epilogue to the original piece will premiere on October 12, 2009 at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall and at more than 100 other theaters in all 50 states, Canada, Great Britain, Spain, Hong Kong and Australia.