Quintessence Theatre Group Presents THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

Quintessence Theatre Group presents the final production of its inaugural season, Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, a Trivial Comedy for Serious People, to be directed by Alexander Burns. The production will start previews on Wednesday, April 27th at 7pm and open on
Saturday, April 30th at 8pm. Performances are Wednesday, April 27th through Sunday, May 22nd. All performances will be held at the Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia PA 19119. To purchase tickets, visit www.QuintessenceTheatre.org or call 1.877.238.5596.

John Worthing lives a double life. While in London he is Ernest, the lively urban bachelor. While in the country with his ward Cecily, he is Jack, the serious morally minded suburban gentleman. The inscription in a forgotten cigarette case reveals Jack's deceit to his close London friend
Algernon who, while calling out his friend's impropriety, admits to having his own nom to folie. Chaos ensues as Ernest proposes marriage to Algernon's cousin Gwendolen, and Algernon pursues Ernest's ward Cecily. Will this farce through London and the British countryside end in marriage
and happiness? As we all struggle to come to grips with the serious issues facing our world today, there is no better way to spend an evening than reveling in the masterful wit of Wilde's "iridescent filament of fantasy," which is as comic and relevant today as it was at its premiere in 1895. In
a wild reimagining of the play, Quintessence Theatre will set THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST in 1960s England.

Josh Carpenter*, who played the titular role in Quintessence's HENRY V, returns to Philadelphia to play Algernon Moncreiff. Jake Blouche, currently seen in Arden Theatre's Superior Donuts and previously in Lantern Theatre's A Skull in Connemara, will join the cast as John Worthing. And celebrated Philadelphia actress Janis Dardaris* makes her Quintessence debut and a star turn as Wilde's indomitable Lady Bracknell.

Quintessence Theatre Group is Philadelphia's professional classical theatre company, dedicated to the performance and adaptation of epic works of classic drama and literature for the Contemporary Stage. Rooted in the traditions of classical drama, we explore what is essential in theatre and human nature, igniting the minds of artists and audiences through the power of the live actor, design and the spoken word.

Over the next five years Quintessence Theatre Group will work to establish an acting ensemble and a rotating repertory at the historic Sedgwick Theater in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia. As Quintessence Theatre's home, the Sedgwick Theater, a 1928 art deco movie palace designed by William Lee, will regain its place as a jewel in Philadelphia's cultural landscape.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST will feature Jake Blouche as John Worthing, Josh Carpenter* as Algernon Moncreiff, Sean Close as Merriman, Janis Dardaris* as Lady Bracknell, Paul Hebron* as Lane and Rev. Chasuble, Marie Maginity as Miss Prism, Janel Miley as Gwendolen Fairfax and Emily Rast as Cecily Cardew.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST plays April 27 - May 22, Wednesdays at 7pm, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm.

A special PAY WHAT YOU CAN preview will take place on April 27th at 7:00pm. A discussion with the cast will take place after the show on Wednesday, May 4th. A discussion on Oscar Wilde and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST will take place with director Alexander Burns before the show on Thursday, May 12th. For information on any of the above events please email BoxOffice@QuintessenceTheatre.org.

Tickets are $30, $20 for seniors, $10 for students, with $10 industry tickets available at the door. To purchase tickets visit SmartTix at www.SmartTix.com or www.QuintessenceTheatre.org, or call 1.877.238.5596.

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