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The Importance of Being Earnest

Broadway Highlights: The Importance of Being Earnest

 

One of the greatest joys of our job is seeing our audiences transformed by a theatre performance. At some point in Roundabout’s 46-year history, you’ve likely experienced a play or musical that has inspired you. Roundabout has been fortunate to produce award-winning productions on Broadway for 20 years now. You may even recall our first Broadway production of Anna Christie at the Criterion Center in 1992.

In celebration of our 20th Anniversary on Broadway, we’re highlighting 8 special productions from our Archives that helped us grow to our position today as one of the nation’s most influential not-for-profits.

The Importance of Being Earnest
Written by Oscar Wilde

Directed by Brian Bedford

December 17, 2010 – June 26, 2011 (189 performances)

Performed at the American Airlines Theatre

Original Cast
Brian Bedford, Dana Ivey, Paxton Whitehead, Amanda Leigh Cobb, Santino Fontana, David Furr, Tim MacDonald, Paul O'Brien, Charlotte Parry, Sara Topham

Sarah Topham, David Furr, and Brian Bedford in 'The Importance of Being Earnest'; Photo Credit: Joan Marcus, 2010

Milestones
• Brian Bedford’s fourth Roundabout production and first as a director

• First-ever Broadway production shown in HD in movie theatres across the world

• First time (on Broadway) that the main female character was portrayed by a male

• Roundabout’s second revival of the play (first was in 1968)

• Nominated for 3 Tony® Awards, including Best Revival of a Play

Explore the The Importance of Being Earnest Production Archives.

Santino Fontana, Charlotte Parry, Sarah Topham, and David Furr in 'The Importance of Being Earnest'; Photo Credit: Joan Marcus, 2010

The Importance of Being Earnest and many of the other historic productions have helped Roundabout grow into the nation’s most influential not-for-profit theatre. Please consider making a gift today to help us create more inspiring productions for years to come



Explore more of entire collection of our Broadway Highlights.


Related Categories:
2010-2011 Season, Broadway Highlights, Roundabout Archive, Special Events, The Importance of Being Earnest


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Roundabout Roundup: Looking back at The Importance of Being Earnest

 

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. 

... Read More →


Related Categories:
2010-2011 Season, Education @ Roundabout, Live in HD, Roundabout News, Roundabout Roundup, The Importance of Being Earnest


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Star Spotlight: Jessie Austrian, The Importance of Being Earnest

 

Star Profile:
Name: Jessie Austrian
Show: The Importance of Being Earnest      
Character: Gwendolen Fairfax

Q & A:
Q: Where are you from?
A: Old Greenwich, CT

Q: What was your first acting gig?
A: Well, when I was 4 years old I was obsessed with a live-action TV series that Shelly Duvall produced called “Fairy Tale Theater.” And we had just acquired our first home video recorder... so naturally I insisted that my family help me make my own film version of "Little Red Riding Hood", produced by and starring me. The beginning of the end...

... Read More →


Related Categories:
2010-2011 Season, Star Spotlight, The Importance of Being Earnest


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