ROUNDABOUT BLOG

After a tremendous run and 16-week extension, The Importance of Being Earnest, will be closing on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at the American Airlines Theatre. There have been many highlights over the run - from winning a Tony Award to "The Jersey Shore gone Wilde" - but these are some of our favorites.

The Importance of Being Earnest Opens on Broadway! - January 13, 2011 

"Within seconds of sweeping onstage, and with a wordless gesture as funny as it is subtle, the great actor Brian Bedford proves beyond question that gender is of no importance whatsoever in portraying the imposing Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s greatest comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest. 

Mr. Bedford’s production is not entirely effortless — Wilde’s rococo style can be daunting even to experienced classicists — but it is more buoyant and consistently funny than any I’ve seen. And as Lady Bracknell, Mr. Bedford presides at the cathedral’s altar with supreme skill and stylishness — and a hint of substance too. It’s one of the great performances of the season; to miss it would most definitely look like carelessness." - Ben Brantley, The New York Times 

Read the full review. 

Brian Bedford sits down with Roundabout's Education Dramaturg to discuss The Importance of Being Earnest - January 10, 2011 

TS: Tell me about directing yourself. Is that a challenge? You’ve done it before, correct? 

BB:I think I’ve always to a certain extent directed myself. (I think most experienced actors do.) That’s not to say that I haven’t benefited immensely from great directors like Gielgud, Mike Nichols, Robin Phillips, Michael Langham and Joe Dowling. In fact it is a combination of their collective influences on me that provided me with whatever directorial skills I have. Even before I became a director I was fascinated by every single component of the production. And now I’m more interested than ever 

Read the entire interview. 

Broadway's The Importance of Being Earnest recreates photos from the original 1895 production - February 10, 2011 

"Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest — currently enjoying an acclaimed and extended revival at Roundabout's American Airlines Theatre — celebrates its 116th anniversary on Valentine's Day. In a salute to the past, members of the Broadway company dressed up and held poses for Playbill.com photographer Joseph Marzullo recently, recreating two classic cast photos from the 1895 London and Broadway productions." Playbill.com

The Importance of Being Earnest to be captured live for movie screens across the world
- March 1, 2010 

The Importance of Being Earnest: Live in HD is being captured live in high-definition from the Broadway stage for limited screenings in movie theaters and performing arts centers across the U.S. and internationally on Thursday, June 2, 2011 and varying dates through
June 30. 

Roundabout Theatre Company, L.A. Theatre Works and BY Experience are thrilled to collaborate on this exciting theatrical project for movie audiences in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to be able to experience the best of Broadway. 

The Importance of Being Earnest Celebrates 100th Performance!
- March 15, 2011 

"The Jersey Shore" has gone Wilde! - April 29, 2011

2011 Awards Season for The Importance of Being Earnest, including 3 Tony Award nominations and 1 win!

* = win

Tony Awards:
Best Revival of a Play
Best Actor in a Play – Brian Bedford
*Best Costume Design of a Play  – Desmond Heeley

Drama Desk Awards:
Outstanding Revival of a Play
*Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play – Brian Bedford
Outstanding Costume Design - Desmond Heeley

Read the complete list of nominations & wins.