Kelly Mengelkoch and Jeremy Dubin. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
On the coattails of the resounding success of their box-office hit world premiere sequel, “The Rewards of Being Frank” last season, CSC is delighted to present Oscar Wilde’s theatrical gem to captivate audiences.
Cincinnati, August 2, 2023 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is eager to kick off their 30th Anniversary Season early with the highly anticipated production of Oscar Wilde’s timeless masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest. Directed by Brian Isaac Phillips, The Importance of Being Earnest is on stage August 4 – 20, 2023 and features members of the cast from last season’s Off-Broadway world premiere back on stage in Cincinnati from NYC!
“After the smashing success of the 2022-2023 Season production of the World Premiere of The Rewards of Being Frank by Alice Scovell [which transferred to] Off-Broadway in NYC with our partner New York Classical Theatre- we knew it was the perfect moment to bring back one of the most beloved comedies of all time,” says Mr. Phillips. “And it will give the new audiences who just discovered Wilde’s characters in Rewards a chance to see the original story upon which it was based!”
Avoiding an unwanted social engagement? Two bachelors have found way out! Gallivanting under the false identity of “Earnest,” “bunburying” is the perfect solution to avoiding one’s duties and responsibilities by claiming to have appointments to see a fictitious person. But their convoluted schemes of trivial deception and disguise become the delights of fools when they fall for two women who only love men named Earnest. Are romantic engagements possible if they avoid their true identity? Farcical fun abounds in one of the funniest comedies in the English language, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, dubiously dubbed “A Trivial Comedy for Serious People.”
Building on the triumph of The Rewards of Being Frank, which reimagined Wilde’s characters in a brilliant sequel, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company continues its tradition of delivering innovative and entertaining productions. The talented ensemble of CSC’s world-premiere sequel reprise their roles, including Jeremy Dubin as John “Jack” Worthing/Ernest; Kelly Mengelkoch as Gwendolen Fairfax; Tora Nogami Alexander as Cecily Cardew; James Evans as Algernon “Algy” Moncrieff; and Christine Pedi as Lady Bracknell. Joining Wilde’s veterans comes CSC fan-favorites Darnell Pierre Benjamin, Burgess Byrd, and Billy Chace.
Broadway actress Christine Pedi makes a winning return to the illustrious role of Lady Bracknell. Hailed as one of Broadway’s most captivating performers, Christine Pedi has enthralled audiences with her astonishing versatility, dazzling vocal range, and magnetic charisma. Known for her previous critically acclaimed portrayals in smash-hit musicals like Chicago, Little Me, and Talk Radio, Pedi’s remarkable career has been studded with numerous accolades, cementing her status as a true force in the realm of live performance. Her impeccable comedic timing, razor-sharp wit, and larger-than-life persona will undoubtedly captivate theatergoers, as she effortlessly embodies the formidable Lady Bracknell with all her pomp, eccentricities, and deliciously memorable one-liners.
Much of the creative team behind The Rewards of Being Frank also reprise their roles, including scenic design by Samantha Reno; costume design by Rainy Edwards; and properties design by Kara Trusty. Creative team also includes lighting design by Watson and sound design is Kevin Semancik.
The Importance of Being Earnest runs from August 4 – 20, 2023. Performances of The Importance of Being Earnest are on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with two Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM on August 13 and 20, and five Saturday matinees at 2:00 on August 5, 12, 13, and 19. CSC offers performances with accessibility resources. The final Sunday matinee on August 20 is Sign Language Interpreted and Audio Description service is available.
Tickets are on sale now. Preview performances are on Wednesday, August 2, and Thursday, August 3, with tickets at $45. Young Professionals are invited to YP Preview Night on Wednesday, august 2, with discounted tickets at $25, including a free drink and post-show talkback. Discounts are available for students, seniors, local residents, and community partners, as access to all is important to CSC. Each performance night has a limited number of $14 “Access” tickets in the Upper Gallery and Stage Gallery. These can be purchased in advance by going online or calling the Box Office. And starting 1 hour before each performance, any unreserved tickets may be available as a discounted Rush Ticket to anyone, not just students. These tickets are only $12 and could be located anywhere in the house, depending on that evening’s availability. These cannot be reserved more than 1 hour before a show and must be purchased in person in the Box Office. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Ticketing fees apply. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at http://www.cincyshakes.com.
This show is a “season special” and is not part of the Subscription package but Subscribers do receive a discount on tickets.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is located at The Otto M. Budig Theater at 1195 Elm Street in OTR, adjacent to Washington Park. Many parking spaces are available on the street and in nearby lots and garages- for more information, visit http://www.otrchamber.com/pages/WheretoPark.
CSC also offers Valet Parking for every performance! Make reservations for $25 in advance when purchasing tickets, or visit www.cincyshakes.com/parking. Purchasing in advance guarantees a spot. Valet is available right at the corner of 12th and Elm Street in front of the theater and begins approx. 1.5 hours before a performance. Cars can be picked up for up to one hour following a performance. (After one hour, you will need to arrange pick up with the valet service directly.) After purchasing, the valet will have your name on the list— it’s that easy!
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 30th Anniversary 2023-2023 Season is generously sponsored by The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr Foundation; along with our Education Season Sponsors, Debby and Jim Mason; and our Operating Support Partners, The Ohio Arts Council, The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Lightborne, and the tens of thousands of people who give generously to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source of arts funding.
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About Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for all. In the summer of 2017, the theater relocated to the Otto M. Budig Theater, a brand new facility in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. CSC’s repertoire is composed of the works of William Shakespeare, literary adaptations, world premieres, and contemporary classics. CSC performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with the Actors’ Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of Theater Communications Group and Shakespeare Theatre Association. Each year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Education and Outreach Programs reach more than 50,000 young people and community members by meeting audiences where they are. This includes sharing programming in schools, parks, community centers and hosting educational matinees of mainstage productions. In 2015, CSC was proud to become one of the first five theaters in the United States to “Complete the Canon” by producing all 38 plays by William Shakespeare. CSC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to be Cincinnati’s stage for the Classics!
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