Encore Players to Present THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at KVPAC

The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People, is considered Oscar Wilde's best work. It has been making audiences laugh since it debuted in London in 1895. With hilarious farce and witty dialogue, this exhilarating masterpiece is a true crowd pleaser. Luckily for Katy, this eternally popular play is coming to Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center (KVPAC) this month from Encore Players!

Set in Victorian England, Wilde's classic satirical comedy follows two bachelor friends, who create fake identities in an attempt to court two delightful young ladies. As things begin to go awry with their master plan, the gentlemen must grapple with the uproarious consequences of their deception. Hilarity ensues as aristocratic attitudes, romance, fortunes, double lives, and honor collide in this clever tale directed by KVPAC veteran director Heather Villano.

"Earnest has been my favorite play since I first read it in high school," boasts Villano. "I'm so excited to finally get to bring it to life on this stage, with this cast and crew, and in this, its 120th year! Whether it be a high school, community theatre, or professional production, it never disappoints because it is virtually flawless material to work with."

Auditions were held in November to an overwhelming response. The final Encore Players selected for stage were Andy Midkiff as Jack Worthing, Joshua Schorejs as Algernon Moncrieff, Kaycee Swierc as Gwendolyn Fairfax, Lauren Debor as Cecily Cardew, Vanessa Morales-Knight as Miss Prism, Daniel Barrett as Dr Chausable, Jack Strickland as Lane, Joshua Pickle as Merriman and Gregory Magyar as Lady Bracknell.

"It is a very interesting mix of actors," says Villano of her cast. "We have theatre educators, high school seniors, veterans and folks who have returned to acting as a hobby and creative outlet. It's a really unique blend of people, but when they enter Wilde's world, it's delightful to just sit and watch. Most rehearsals, our stage management team and I are in hysterics. The entire cast has worked so seamlessly and beautifully together."

The main character, Jack, faces many obstacles to his romantic union with Gwendolen. One obstacle is presented by the famously formidable Lady Bracknell, who is cleverly portrayed by KVPAC's own Executive Artistic Director, Gregory Magyar. "It wasn't so much a question of casting a man versus a woman to play Lady Bracknell, but rather about taking advantage of having an actor like Gregory that could play her beautifully," Villano explains, noting her actor had to wear rehearsal skirts at the start of the process to remind the other cast members to treat him like a woman. "The key is not to make a mockery of the character by casting this way, but rather to give her an even stronger presence. Gregory does this so delightfully that you forget he is a man and it makes Lady Bracknell even more of a force to be reckoned with."

So very long since its inception, the plot of The Importance of Being Earnest is very approachable and valid today in many ways. Almost all of the characters have their own means of escape, be it fanciful romantic musings in a young girl's diary, a fictional brother to assist or invalid friend to nurse. All were created by Wilde as a means of escape from the demands of daily life. Today, everyone has a "Bunbury" of their own ... the need to escape the day-to-day. And what better 'escape' could there be than to experience this stunning production and celebrate the 120th anniversary of this theatrical treasure.

Encore Players' production runs January 22 & 23 at 8:00pm and January 24 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $18 on-line at www.kvpac.org (group, student and Senior rates available) or call 281.829.2787 in advance for additional box office information.

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