The SPT Youth Program Presents Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, 6/21-6/29

For its 10th Annual Senior Show the SPT Summer Youth Program is proud to present The Importance of Being Ernest, Oscar Wilde's timeless farce of topsy-turvy romance, faked identities, and the sweet celebration of rapier wit.

Six [free] performances June 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29 at the historic Bathhouse Theater on Green Lake. Donations are encouraged, and go to support SPT's Youth Scholarship Fund.

ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
In Wilde's "Trivial comedy for serious people," long-time pals Algernon and Jack invent false identities to save themselves from the drudgery of dreary social engagements. Complications arise when the two conspire to woo Gwendolen and Cecily. Both women want nothing more than the hand of a man named "Earnest"-conveniently enough the very name Jack took on to avoid public entanglements. With his inimical facility for language, Wilde skewers nearly every institution under the sun, from marriage and manners to aristocracy and economics. Come see why The Importance of Being Earnest still to speaks audiences as readily now as it did 100 years ago.

"Each year the graduating seniors of the SPT youth program perform a show together, as a final capstone of their time here and a shared experience before moving on to the next part of their life," says director, Shana Bestock. "They've grown up here, and the fluidity with which they play with Wilde's text, each other, and the Bathhouse space is not something you can teach. Our shared history makes this one of the most joyful productions of this hilarious play you'll ever see. Come share it with us!"

"In 2004 my fellow students and I approached Shana about doing a capstone show just for us seniors. None of us imagined it would become a tradition," says Youth Program Alum, Patrick Lennon (The Santaland Diaries). "The Senior Show represents everything that makes SPT's youth program innovative and transformative. I'm so proud to welcome these talented young actors to SPT's 10th Annual Senior show as they become alumni that now number over 80 members."

ABOUT SPT'S YOUTH PROGRAM
"The main idea of SPT's educational programs; that the play creates a community in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, where all participants discover their voices is a priceless learning experience for all." - SPT Parent

Come see why Seattle Public Theater's Youth Program is so often praised for its ability to transcend traditional expectations of "Children's Theater" with exciting theatrical experiences for the whole community.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST features the acting talents of SPT Youth Program 2013 Seniors Amy MacDonald, Sofia Truzzi, Madeleine Symons, and Joey Haeck in addition to Youth Program Alumni Patrick Lennon, Audrey Howell, Ben McCarthy, and Cori Jacoby. The Importance of Being Earnest is directed by Shana Bestock and stage managed by Youth Program Alum, Hannah Rose.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Performs Friday, June 21 @ 7pm,?Saturday, June 22 @ 7pm, Sunday, June 23 @ 2pm, Friday, June 28 @ 7pm and Saturday, June 29 @ 2pm & 7pm.

ABOUT SEATTLE PUBLIC THEATER - INTIMATE. UNIQUE. LOCAL.
Seattle Public Theater (SPT) is a mid-size, 501 (c) 3 non-profit professional theater on the shores
of Green Lake. Specializing in main stage theater and youth theater education, SPT is dedicated to creating community through the performing arts.

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