Metea Valley theater stages Wilde’s witty ‘Importance of Being Earnest’

Metea Valley High School Theater will present Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest,” a Victorian comedy about two men who create false identities to escape social obligations.

Subtitled “A Trivial Comedy for Serious People,” Wilde’s celebrated 1895 satire follows two Victorian gentlemen, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who engineer elaborate double lives to escape their rigid social obligations. Jack adopts the persona of “Ernest” while in London, while Algernon invents an ailing friend named “Bunbury” as a convenient excuse to escape to the countryside.

Complications arise when both men fall in love with women — Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew — who are independently obsessed with marrying a man named Ernest, believing the name guarantees moral perfection. When all four end up at Jack’s country estate, their web of deception unravels into an afternoon of sharp wit, mistaken identities and romantic chaos.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 12-14, in the high school auditorium, 1801 N. Eola Road, Aurora. Tickets are $10 or $5 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at meteavalleytheater.org.

Director Ben Lundy answered some questions about the production.

Q. Why did you choose “The Importance for Being Earnest” for Metea Valley High School’s fall play?

Last year, Metea Theater did “Macbeth,” which is a dark and serious play. For this year, the assistant director, Sara Wojtasik, and I wanted to do something more on the lighter side. “The Importance of Being Earnest” not only fits that criteria, but I think it also satirizes some of the same class differences that we are seeing play out in society today.

Q. For those who aren’t familiar, please describe the plot.

“The Importance of Being Earnest” is a comedic play by Oscar Wilde that explores themes of identity, social expectations and class differences. The plot follows two main characters, Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing, who both lead double lives to escape societal constraints. Algernon invents a fictitious friend named Bunbury to avoid family obligations, while Jack creates an imaginary brother named Ernest to indulge in a more carefree lifestyle when in London. The unfolding narrative brings complications when both men become romantically involved with women who are infatuated with the name “Ernest.”

Q. How many students are involved with the production?

While there will be 11 students visible as performers, one of the strengths of Metea Theater is that we have a dedicated and growing behind-the-scenes tech department that does amazing work. All told, at least 30 students will have had a hand in bringing the production to life.

Q. How will your play differ from the original?

The original version had five different acts, while the version we are doing will be the shortened version, with only three acts and a run time just short of two hours.

Q. What were the most challenging aspects of getting this production together?

Thankfully, to this point, the production team and actors have made this an easy and fun play to work on. Some of the actors have more lines and bigger parts than they have ever had, but they have tackled the challenge and are going to shine in November. Our tech team is incredible, and the sets look great.

Q. What did you find most rewarding?

As this is my first time at the helm of a play for Metea Valley Theater, I am finding incredible joy in watching the whole process unfold. Seeing how the team takes on some of my original vision and then works collaboratively to make it their own is wildly rewarding. Also, I will never tire of watching talented students challenge themselves and engage in the creative process.

Q. What were some of the best moments in putting together this production?

This experience has come with many laughs and moments of levity. Much of the language of the time is different from today, so working with the actors to learn the vernacular has been entertaining. Also, seeing what the tech team has put together based on my original small ideas has been very satisfying.

Q. What do you think audiences will enjoy most about this play?

While historically comedy doesn’t always translate, one of the reasons “The Importance of Being Earnest” is still performed regularly is that the jokes still land. Audiences will be able to laugh at the absurdity of the situations as well as the hilarious turns of phrase and one-liners. In a society where doom scrolling and sad news have become the norm, I think audiences will enjoy a night that is a bit lighter.

Q. What do some of the performers have to say about the show and their role in it?

Engaging in live theater is such a joy, and that makes the line memorizing and practicing every day totally worth the effort. This cast loves to laugh and has found moments in each character arc that are hilarious and fun.