Review: Theatre UCF's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST is Perfectly Frivolous Summer Fun

Very little in life is as refreshing on a hot summer day as a nice, cool cucumber sandwich; a close second perhaps is a classic, breezy comedy in an air conditioned theater. Fortunately, Theatre UCF is bringing back both when their production of Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST returns on August 27th for a final weekend of performances, after running earlier this summer in repertoire with DO BLACK PATENT LEATHER SHOWS REALLY REFLECT UP? (Check out Kimberly Moy's BWW Orlando review of PATENT LEATHER). Under the direction of Mark Routhier, the cast fully embraces the goofy storylines and giddy characters of this beloved comedy of manners to create an entertainingly trivial way to spend a summer evening.

As in all farces of this kind, the plot of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST is ridiculous, convoluted, and absolutely secondary to the flamboyant characters and witty dialogue. That fact notwithstanding: the first act, which is a bit long on exposition and short on jokes, introduces us to young scallywag Ernest Worthing (Patrick Sylvester) who is in London visiting his friend Algernon Moncrieff (Trevor Starr). These two make a very strong comic pairing, with Sylvester more of the dashing gentleman with a dry wit, while Starr's Algernon is his foppish foil and antagonist.

Ernest has vowed to give up his libertine lifestyle in order to marry Algernon's cousin Gwendolyn (the delightfully vibrant Amanda Tavarez). Algernon refuses to give his blessing after finding Ernest's cigarette case, which is engraved, "From little Cecily, with her fondest love to her dear Uncle Jack."

Despite his initial denials, Ernest confesses that his name is actually "Jack," and that he invented his own trouble-making brother Ernest as a way to occasionally escape the demands of serving as the guardian to young heiress Cecily Cardew (Victoria Gluchoski). Gluchoski's Cecily is a vivacious wild-child who steals nearly every scene she's in. The allure of the beautiful (and wealthy) Cecily is too much for Algernon to withstand, as he begins to concoct a way to meet her.

Despite the absurdity of the situation Algernon is satisfied by his friend's explanation, and when Gwen and her mother, the imposing Lady Bracknell (UCF Associate Professor Belinda Boyd) arrive, Algernon escorts his aunt to the piano room, so that "Ernest" can properly propose. After she accepts, Gwen extols all of her new fiance's virtues, chief amongst them is his name; "Ernest." Obviously, this presents a problem for Jack.

When Algernon and his aunt return to find the two betrothed, Lady Bracknell interrogates Jack/Ernest to determine if he is a suitable spouse for her daughter. After intense questioning, Lady Bracknell forbids Gwen marrying Jack, and drags her away from Algernon's house.

With the substantial, but silly groundwork laid, the cast is finally granted free range to flit around this comically melodramatic world which Wilde has created in Acts II and III, and flit they do. While no one will ever confuse THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST with high-drama, Sylvester, Starr, Tavarez, and Gluchoski make an exceptional romantic comedy team. They fully embrace the show's inherent absurdity and give life to characters that could easily be paper-thin. While Starr and Slyvester are a lot of fun when either scheming or butting heads, the rivalry and eventual partnership between Gwendolyn and Cecily is a comedic highlight.

While Boyd's Bracknell possesses the appropriate grandeur and sophistication, she never seems to be as intimidating as this larger-than-life force should be. Despite being clever and confident, both Algy and Jack cower anytime Lady Bracknell throws them a cross look, which betrays their otherwise cavalier character.

The rest of the shows ensemble is just as entertaining. Jasmine Mitchell's Ms. Prism and Mike Nilsson's Rev. Chasuble make a bizarrely perfect couple, and David Klein and Alex Hehr are subtly hilarious as the butlers Lane and Merriman. Vandy Wood's multi-purpose set impressively serves as three different locations, with the help of a hardworking crew.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST is, and always has been, a pleasant, if not very challenging entertainment, and Theatre UCF's well-performed production is the ideal way to wrap up a summer of theatre-going. To purchase tickets, visit Theatre UCF's website or call (407) 823-1500.

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Did you and Bunbury drop in on Theatre UCF's EARNEST? Let me know what you thought of in the comments below, or by "Liking" and following BWW Orlando on Facebook and Twitter. You can also chat with me about the show on Twitter @BWWMatt.

1) Trevor Starr, Belinda Boyd, and Patrick Sylvester: Tony Firriolo | Theatre UCF
2) Belinda Boyd and Patrick Sylvester: Tony Firriolo | Theatre UCF
3) Amanda Tavarez, Victoria Gluchoski, and Alex Hehr: Tony Firriolo | Theatre UCF

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