The Importance of Being Earnest

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ArtChick and I had the opportunity to sit in on a dress rehearsal of the Benbokis Production of ,"The Importance of Being Earnest." at the Gene Frankel Theatre .The Oscar Wilde classic comedy about mistaken identity. Where two young English gentlemen use a seemingly small deception in an effort to escape unwelcome and dull social obligations. First there is Jack Worthing who has invented a decadent and wicked brother, Earnest, whom he uses as an excuse to leave for the country and visit the object of his affection, Gwendolyn, in London and, his friend Algy Montcrieff who assumes the name 'Earnest' when visiting Worthing's young and beautiful ward, Cecily, at his country home. The deception and mistaken idenity becomes discovered and threatens to unravel the best laid romantic plans of the four lovers. A game of social chess then ensues where old secrets and trust funds are revealed,family materes settled and lovers united .

There is nothing more satisfying than to watch someone who loves what they do ,do what they love. This very exceptional and energetic cast brings a freshness to this classic ,yet the original intent and the 19th century subtleness remain intact, with a slightly more airy contemporary feel.So fresh in fact that even though I had seen or read the play many times it came a cross so new I could hardly control my laughter.

The dialogue takes on a natural rhythm making the plays humor come alive in almost a TV sitcom feel but with no need for the unnecessary laugh track that so often signals when to laugh.There is an welcome absence of the usual gimmicks that so often degrade contemporary theaters attempted remakes of old classics clouding their intent. Neither is this some stale rendering or some hybrow master piece theater wannabe production ,this is real ,alive and this is now . It is contemporary yet classic at the same time and will bring a smile to your face and a very fun filled evening.

The very eclectic, international cast is as follows:

Ben Bergin as Algernon Moncrieff
Josh Padgett as John Worthing
Liz Curtis as Cecily Cardew
Caitlin Gold as Gwendolen Fairfax
Lauralee Nicole Reed as Lady Bracknell
Devin James Heater as Reverend Chasuble
Lara Zaluski as Miss Prism
Sebastian Croucher as Merriman/Lane

The entire cast are graduates of the two-year professional training program at the oldest theatre conservatory in America, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Other graduates include legends such as Lauren Becall, Robert Redford, Anne Bancroft and hundreds more (for full list see http://aada.org/alumni/alumni_list.html).

Benbokis Productions is a new, dynamic theatre company based in New York City. It is headed by producing partners Ben Bergin and Liz Curtis, both graduates of the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan.

Benbokis Productions proudly presents Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy,this four-night run begins on Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 and concludes on Saturday, May 9th, 2009. All performances take place at 7:30 PM at the Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street, NYC.

Doors open at 7:00 PM. Tickets are fifteen dollars. FREE refreshments will be provided. Please call or email at least one day in advance for reservations: 917.836.6575 or caitling2@hotmail.com.

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