The Importance of Being Earnest
by Oscar Wilde
A Trivial Comedy for Serious People
The Importance of Being Earnest is a masterpiece of high comedy, sparkling with provocative observations. Oscar Wilde commented that the first act is “ingenious,” the second act “beautiful” and the third “abominably clever.” This classic is a delight from the first cucumber sandwich on as Jack’s double life catches up with him. The problems are resolved in an extremely charming and quite unexpected way as Jack and Algernon discover the importance of being earnest while answering to the name of Ernest.
Want to learn more? Check out this study guide from the Utah Shakespeare Festival to learn all about the show, and Oscar Wilde’s world.
Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.
Theatre that is always provocative. Theatre that is always thoughtful.
Celebrating the 61st Season of Festival Playhouse:
Creatures, Curses, and Collaboration
Fall 2024
The Importance of Being Earnest
Written by Oscar Wilde
Directed by Dr. Quincy Thomas
The Importance of Being Earnest first premiered at London’s St. James Theatre on February 14, 1895 and on Broadway at the Empire Theatre on April 22, 1895.
Thurs.-Sat., November 7-9 , 7:30pm
Sunday, November 10, 2pm.
Nelda K. Balch Playhouse, 129 Thompson St.
The Importance of Being Earnest is a masterpiece of high comedy, sparkling with provocative observations. Oscar Wilde called his play “A trivial comedy for serious people.” He commented that the first act is “ingenious,” the second act “beautiful” and the third “abominably clever.” This classic is a delight from the first cucumber sandwich on as Jack’s double life catches up with him. The problems are resolved in an extremely charming and quite unexpected way as Jack and Algernon discover the importance of being earnest while answering to the name of Ernest.
Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.
Winter 2025
Eurydice
Written by Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Ren Pruis
Eurydice had its world premiere at Madison Repertory Theatre in Madison, Wisconsin in 2003, after which is was performed at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2004, and Yale Repertory Theatre in 2006, directed by Les Waters. It opened Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theater in 2007.
Thurs.-Sat., Feb. 27-Mar. 1, 7:30pm
Sun., March 2, 2pm.
Nelda K. Balch Playhouse, 129 Thompson St.
Eurydice reimagines the classic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice not through Orpheus’s infamous pilgrimage to retrieve his bride, but through the eyes of its heroine. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, plot twists, and a script written to be a playground for designers, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story.
EURYDICE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel J. French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Spring 2025
Little Shop of Horrors
Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman
Music by Alan Menken
Directed by King Ryan
Little Shop of Horrors was originally produced by the WPA Theatre on May 6, 1982, with Kyle Renick as Producing Director. Originally produced Off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre in July 1982, and adapted into a film of the same name by Frank Oz in 1986.
Thurs.-Sat., May 15-17, 7:30pm
Sun., May 18, 2pm.
Nelda K. Balch Playhouse, 129 Thompson St.
In Little Shop of Horrors, the meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” – after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing, carnivorous herbage promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Note: Masks are now optional for admittance. Thank you for your understanding and support in advance.
Festival Playhouse is a proud member of Theatre Kalamazoo (TK), a consortium of theatres of Kalamazoo County. TK demonstrates that collectively we can achieve much more than we can as individual theatres–and together, we promote the very things that define what is truly special about being alive in the world, interacting with one another to celebrate humanity at large.
Festival Playhouse gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Dorothy U. Dalton Foundation.
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