Carlson, Redding, Wilcox and Winters Join Redgrave in Paper Mill's 'EARNEST'

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) is proud to announce casting for The Importance of Being Earnest. The Importance of Being Earnest will run at the Millburn theatre from January 14 through February 15, 2009. The Importance of Being Earnest is sponsored by Fidelity Investments.

The Importance of Being Earnest will play the following performance schedule: Wednesdays at 7:30PM, Thursdays at 2:00PM & 7:30PM, Fridays at 8:00PM, Saturdays at 2:00PM & 8:00PM and Sundays at 2:00PM & 7:30PM. Single tickets are now on sale and range in price from $25 to $92. Student rush tickets are $20 and are available the day of performance in person with current student ID. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or at the Paper Mill Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.papermill.org. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted. Groups of ten or more can receive up to a 35% discount on tickets and should call 973-379-3636 ext. 2438.

The Importance of Being Earnest is a play about maintaining fictitious identities to avoid unwelcome social obligations. Jack Worthing's brother, Earnest, provides Jack with the excuse to escape from his dull home in the country to frolic in town. The home of Algernon Moncrieff's friend Bunbury provides a convenient locale for taking adventures in the country. The problem? Earnest and Bunbury are imaginary, created by Jack and Algernon to add a dash of excitement to their lives. Their deceptions eventually cross paths, resulting in a series of hilarious crises that threaten to spoil their romantic pursuits.

Directed by David Schweizer, The Importance of Being Earnest brings a sensational cast to the Paper Mill stage.

Lynn Redgrave (Lady Bracknell) is the Golden Globe® winner and Academy Award® nominee for Gods and Monsters (1999) and Georgy Girl (1966). Ms. Redgrave won the 2003 Drama Desk Award for Talking Heads as Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play. In 2006, she was nominated for a Tony Award® for Best Actress in a Play for The Constant Wife. She was also nominated for a Grammy® Award for The Witches in the category of Best Spoken Word Album for Children. Ms. Redgrave was a founding member of Britain's National Theatre, now the Royal National Theatre, under the direction of Sir Laurence Olivier. She has also written the text for Journal, A Mother and Daughter's Recovery From Breast Cancer, featuring photographs by her daughter, Annabel Clark, currently in its third printing from Umbrage Editions.

Jeffrey Carlson (Algernon Moncrieff) has performed on Broadway in Taboo; Tartuffe; and The Goat or Who is Sylvia. Mr. Carlson was recently featured on All My Children. Wayne Wilcox (John Worthing, J.P.) is new to the Paper Mill stage and has appeared on Broadway in Corum Boy. He was in the film version of Rent and on television in Law & Order and Gossip Girl.

Annika Boras (Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax) is returning to the Paper Mill stage where she last appeared as Anne Sullivan in The Miracle Worker. Her television credits include: Law & Order; Law & Order: SVU; Ugly Betty; and CSI:NY.

Zoë Winters (Cecily Cardew) has appeared in television in Gossip Girl. Keith Reddin (Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.) has appeared on television in The Guiding Light; Law & Order: Criminal Intent; and Ed. His Broadway credits include The Plays the Thing and A Taste of Honey.

Cynthia Mace (Miss Prism) was in the Taper Forum World Premiere of Angels in America. Her film credits include: The Alphabet Killer and Michael Clayton.

Chris Wells (Lane/Merriman) has numerous regional credits including performances at Flea Theater, Longwharf and Yale Rep.

Rounding out the cast are: Justin Bellero and Matthew Capodicasa.

Alexander Dodge will serve as the Scenic Coordinator. Costume design is by David Murin. Lighting design is by Matt Frey. Sound design is by Randy Hansen. Hair and wig design is by Mark Adam Rampmeyer. The Production Stage Manager is Charles M. Turner, III.

Mark S. Hoebee, Paper Mill's Artistic Director says, "We continue to build on the critical successes of our first two productions with a brilliant comedy, Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest." "We are thrilled that Ms. Redgrave has joined the Paper Mill Family and trust this piece will delight the many diverse constituencies that make up Paper Mill's audience, while continuing our goal to provide intergenerational entertainment."

"Fidelity has a strong commitment to supporting the arts, and we're proud that we can help bring The Importance of Being Earnest to Paper Mill Playhouse," said Amy Kauffman Sweeney, General Manager of Fidelity Investments in the Tri-state area. "We are also pleased to be part of this production as the Paper Mill Playhouse serves as a state-wide resource for New Jersey, offering access to quality theater performances, as well as providing arts enrichment to students through their Theater School, Junior Players, and Adopt-A-School programming."

Paper Mill Playhouse, a not-for-profit arts organization, is one of the country's leading regional theatres. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, A Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional major support is provided by generous contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of Theatre Communications Group, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance. 

Free Audience Enrichment Activities for The Importance of Being Earnest
Wed. January 14 6:30pm Art Gallery Directors Notes & Coffee Series
Enjoy coffee on us as Director David Schweizer discusses
The Importance of Being Earnest.

Thurs. January 15 6:30pm Mezzanine Conversation Series
Thurs. January 22 Learn more about the show you are about to
Thurs. January 29 see, led by members of Paper Mill's Artistic and
Thurs. February 5 Education Departments.
Thurs. February 12

Sat. February 14 Post Show Orchestra Cast Talk-Back Series
Meet the cast and ask actors questions about the show or the role they are portraying.

Photo of Jeffrey Carlson by Linda Lenzi