“The Importance of Being Earnest” at Westport Country Playhouse by Zander Opper

“The Importance of Being Earnest”

Westport Country Playhouse

Westport Country Playhouse is currently presenting an intelligent and stylish production of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.”  This play almost always satisfies and this production is blessed with an impeccable cast and lovely set design (by James J. Fenton).  Also, director Melissa Rain Anderson has done a great job staging this play and the show is literate and satisfying all the way to the conclusion.  The two leading male roles are performed by Anthony Michael Martinez and Michael Raver and both actors shine in the show.  For a tasteful, elegant evening at the theater, I doubt you could do better than to attend “The Importance of Being Earnest” at Westport Country Playhouse.

As mentioned, the scenic design is terrific and the audience actually applauded the set when the curtain rose at the start of this show.  But this production is much more than just pretty décor—the company of performers has been chosen very well and they are really the heart and soul of the show.  When the play begins, there is a discussion between Michael Raver and Anthony Michael Martinez where it is discovered that each man employs two identities: Raver is Ernest Worthing in town and Jack in the country and Martinez is Algernon Moncrief, except when he uses his imaginary “relation” Bumbry as an excuse to get out of situations in order to live the life that he desires.

Both actors are excellent and this early scene sets the stage for the play’s tangled web of mistaken identities and family complications.  Portraying the young women these men desire are Katy Tang as Gwendolyn Fairfax and Kristen Hahn as Cecily Cardew.  Tang is quite striking in her role and she fully displays the pampered life she leads, though she is also extremely likable and humorous.  Hahn is, similarly, very appealing as Cecily, though it must be mentioned that at the performance I attended, this actress’ microphone wasn’t working quite correctly in Act I, which was distracting to Hahn’s highly attractive performance.  Happily, the microphone problem was corrected in the second half, much to this actress’ benefit.  And the scenes where Tang and Hahn form a kind of sisterhood are absolutely delicious.

Triney Sandoval is very amusing as Reverend Canon Chasuble, who is continually being called upon to perform christenings, and the stalwart Mark Silence is ideal as the butler Merriman.  And then there are Jan Neuberger as Miss Prism and the glorious Christine Pedi as Lady Bracknell.  Neuberger takes care of Cecily in the country, which is where Raver (as Jack) visits with her.  Neuberger is quite droll and a bit of a hoot, especially in the final scenes when the various plot strands are finally clarified.

If there is a real standout in the cast, though,  it would be Pedi as Lady Bracknell.  Bringing all of the upper crust stature and breeding to the role, this actress is simply delightful, though more than a little imposing.  Pedi takes charge in her every moment onstage, to wonderful effect.  I have seen this actress in several different comic roles, though the role of Lady Bracknell allows Pedi to truly display her acting gifts and comedy to the absolute hilt.

The design elements in “The Importance of Being Earnest” are uniformly stellar.  There are two key set changes in the show and they are so expertly choreographed that they almost seem like mini-ballets.  The costume design by Annie J. Le is exquisite, with the time and place of the show’s period precisely captured.  Alexander Fetchko’s lighting design is great and this designer’s work helps to highlight all of the key scenes in the play.  The melodic original music is provided by John Gromada, who is also the sound designer and, besides the initial problem with Cecily’s microphone, the sound design is otherwise extremely good.

It’s such a pleasure to sit in a theater and to be able to see a production of “The Importance of Being Earnest” that manages to capture all of the wit, comedy, and style associated with this play.  The director keeps the pacing of the show at a steady clip, though she does allow for all the intricate wordplay and sophisticated laughs to ring out terrifically.  Westport Country Playhouse has a real winner in its production of “The Importance of Being Earnest” and this show can be most highly recommended.

“The Importance of Being Earnest” runs through November 15, 2025, at Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Ct., Westport CT. For tickets and information, please call 203-227-4177 or visit westportplayhouse.org.

Photo: Michael Raver and Andrew Michael Martinez

Photo by Carol Rosegg