The Importance of Being Ernest, Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, CT, USA

Oscar Wilde’s farcical comedy, The Importance of Being Ernest opened the 2025-2026 season at the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut on November 1, 2025. First performed at the St. James Theatre in London, England, on February 14, 1895, the play still has the power to keep audiences rollicking with laugh-out-loud laughter over the antics of the characters where mistaken identities and cutting-edge dialogue about love, marriage, and high society, make for a very enjoyable evening of theatre. Melissa Rain Anderson directs this all-star cast of Kristen Hahn, Anthony Michael Martinez, Jan Neuberger, Christine Pedi, Michael Raver, Triney Sandoval, Mark Silence, and Katy Tang. The play is recommended for ages 12 and up and runs until November 15, 2025. Bravo!

Michael Raver (Jack Worthing), Katy Tang (Gwendolyn Fairfax) – The Importance of Being Earnest

We had the pleasure of seeing The Importance of Being Ernest on opening night, November 1, 2025, and the Westport Country Playhouse was filled with patrons who were looking for, and found, an enjoyable evening of theatre. Irish Playwright, Author, and Poet Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900) wrote the play about two eligible bachelors and their love interests which made its debut on the St. James Theatre in London on February 14, 1895.

Michael Raver (Jack Worthing), Anthony Michael Martinez (Algernon Moncrieff) – The Importance of Being Earnest

The Playhouse’s Artistic Director, Mark Shanahan introduced the play on Saturday, November 1, 2025, by noting that although the play debuted in London in 1895, it was making its debut at the Westport Country Playhouse, which celebrates its 95^th season with the 2025-2026 production season. With The Importance of Being Ernest, Oscar Wilde created a farce of a play that still rings true with its fast-paced, witty, tongue-in-cheek dialogue, and delightfully zany characters. The setting is Victorian Times, where two eligible bachelors in high society do their utmost to live a life on the edge as bon-vivants. Adding to the chaos are two butlers for the bachelors, an aunt, and her daughter, an 18-year ward of one of the bachelors, her governess of “a certain age,” and a Reverend in love with the governess.

Kristen Hahn (Cecily Cardew), Anthony Michael Martinez (Algernon Moncrieff) – The Importance of Being Earnest

No matter how brilliant the dialogue is, the first thing one notices about the play is the breathtakingly beautiful set design by James J. Fenton, complete with curved double staircase leading to the second floor. The Playhouse is noted for its exceptional set design, and once again, the set beautifully captures the elegance of the Victorian age. Also notable are the gorgeous costumes by Annie J. Lee, and the wig, hair and make-up design by J. Jared Janas that sets the play firmly and stunningly in the Victorian age.

Kristen Hahn (Cecily Cardew), Mark Silence (Merriman) / Lane), Katy Tang Gwendolyn Farifax) – The Importance of Being Earnest

Director Melissa Rain Anderson elicits the very best from her stellar cast of notable actors including Anthony Michael Martinez as Algernon Moncreiff, and Michael Raver as Jack Worthing, J.P. as the two eligible bachelor friends. Their onscreen chemistry makes them a delight to watch as they parlay the fast-paced banter with the ease of professional tennis players.

Jan Neuberger (Miss Prism), Triney Sandoval (Rev. Canon Chasuble) – The Importance of Being Earnest

Broadway’s own Christine Pedi plays Algernon’s formidable aunt, Lady Bracknel, and the mother of the impetuous Gwendolyn Fairfax played by Katy Tang, who has her heart set on marrying a man named Ernest.

Kristen Hahn (Cecily Cardew) , Anthony Michael Martinez (Algernon Moncrieff), Christine Pedi (Lady Bracknell) – The Importance of Being Earnest

Kristen Hahn plays Jack Worthington’s 18-year ward, Cicily Cardew, who has also fallen in love with a man named Ernest in her own fantasy world. Rounding out the zany characters are Mark Silence, who does double duty playing two different butlers to both Algeron and Jack, Jan Newberger as Miss Prism, governess to Cicily, and Triny Sandoval as Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D. who is in love with Miss Prism.

Katy Tang (Gwendolyn Fairfax), Michael Raver (Jack Worthing) – The Importance of Being Earnest

Witty dialogue, farcical characters, and mistaken identities had the audience laughing often and out loud all night long. The Importance of Being Ernest was the perfect season opener to celebrate the Playhouse’s 95^th season. If you need a night of laughter, do head to Westport for The Importance of Being Ernest. The play runs until November 15, 2025.

Until next time, keep enjoying and supporting the arts!

Kristen Hahn (Cecily Cardew), Kay Tang (Gwendolyn Fairfax), Triney Sandoval (Rev. Canon Chasuble), Anthony Michael Martinez (Algernon Moncrieff), Christine Padi (Lady Bracknell), Jan Neuberger (Miss Prism), Michael Raver (Jack Worthing) – The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Ernest – Cast

The Importance of Being Ernest – Creative Team

The Importance of Being Ernest Schedule: The play runs until November 15, 2025. Sundays at 3:00 pm, Tuesdays at 7:00 pm, Wednesdays at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm, Thursdays at 7:00 pm, Fridays at 8:00 pm. Saturdays at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Runtime is 2 hours and there is a 15-minute intermission between acts.

For additional information or to purchase tickets, please call the Box Office at +1-203-227-4177, email them at boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org, or visit the website at https://tickets.westportplayhouse.org/events. 

Special Dinner & A Show: Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse (https://www.gabrielesofwestportct.com/) is located on the Playhouse campus and is offering a special pre-show pre-fixe menu for theatre patrons (offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday). Click here to view the menu and pricing, then call Gabriele’s at (203) 454-4922 to make your reservation. Be sure to tell them you are attending the show to access the exclusive menu and price!” 

Please visit the WCP’s website for other dining options: https://www.westportplayhouse.org/visit/dining/ 

Westport Country Playhouse’s Upcoming Schedule for 2025-2026

About the Westport Country Playhouse 

“Originally built in 1835 as a tannery manufacturing hatters’ leathers the building that would become Westport Country Playhouse was in 1880 turned into a steam-powered cider mill and later abandoned in the 1920s.Splendidly transformed into a theater in 1931, it initially served as a try-out house for Broadway transfers, evolving into an established stop on the New England straw hat circuit of summer stock theaters through the end of the 20th century.  Following a multi-million-dollar renovation completed in 2005, the Playhouse became a producing, non-profit, regional theater, preserving its original charm and character.” 

The Westport Country Playhouse, named as “Theatre Company of the Year” in December 2013 by The Wall Street Journal, opened on June 29, 1931, in a transformed 1835 cow barn, which has, and continues to attract, a “who’s who” of prominent actors. When you visit the Westport Country Playhouse, be sure to take time to look at the photos and playbills that line the walls of the two-story theatre to see the “who’s who” of actors who have appeared throughout the years.

Westport Country Playhouse
Streicker Performing Arts Stage
25 Powers Court
Westport, Connecticut 06880
United States
Box Office: +1—203-227-4177
Toll-Free: 1-888-927-7529
Website: www.WestportPlayhouse.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WestportCountryPlayhouse
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wcplayhouse @wcplayhouse

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