Craig, Shamos, Mudge, Etc. Set for 3/19 'Earnest' Reading

A one-night-only performance of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy of manners The Importance of Being Earnest to benefit Resonance Ensemble's 2007 season will be presented on Monday, March 19 with a 6:00pm reception and a 7:30pm performance at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street) in Manhattan.

"The play- one of Oscar Wilde's most famous comedies - focuses on Jack and Algernon, two flippant young men, who, in order to impress their respected beloveds, pretend that their names are "Ernest," which both young ladies believe confers magical qualities on the possessor. The performance commemorates the fifth anniversary of Resonance Ensemble, and the company's inaugural production of The Importance of Being Earnest," state press materials.

Directed by Resonance Ensemble Artistic Director Eric Parness; the cast of features David Alan Basche (United 93) as Algernon; Emmy-nominee Matthew Cowles as Dr. Chasuble; Deborah S. Craig (Spelling Bee) as Cecily; Patrick Melville (Crazy for the Dog) as Lane; Jennifer Mudge (Dutchman) as Gwendolen; Jeremy Shamos (Gutenberg! The Musical) as Jack; and Maxwell Zener (Golem Stories) as Merriman - additional casting of Lady Bracknell and Miss Prism will be announced.

Under the Artistic Direction of Eric Parness and Managing Direction of Rachel Reiner, Resonance Ensemble is dedicated to developing new theatrical work inspired by the timelessness and universalism of the classics, and to producing resonating groups of theatrical presentations that echo across countless cultures and eras to confront themes and ideas significant to audiences of today.

Resonance Ensemble's one-night benefit performance will be held at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street) on Monday, March 19 with a 6:00pm reception and a 7:30pm performance. Tickets are $80 ($70 of which is tax deductible) and are available for purchase online at www.ResonanceEnsemble.org (through Paypal), or by check made payable to Resonance Ensemble and sent to Resonance Ensemble, P.O. Box 771, Times Square Station, New York, NY 10108. Checks must be received by Friday, March 16.

For additional information, please call Resonance Ensemble at 646-263-6673, or visit www.resonanceensemble.org.

Photo of Deborah S. Craig by Ben Strothmann