The McCarter Theater chose to end this millennium with a 19th century play described by its author as "a trivial comedy for serious people." Many have said that The Importance of Being Earnest is the greatest stage comedy. The McCarter production was both clever and daring while faithful to Oscar Wilde's wit. Director Daniel Fish staged this Earnest with creative lunacy. Algernon's apartment featured a stuffed zebra and a huge pool table, both of which were used for funny stage business. In the second act, characters spoke at times from a tree swing. None of these new and funny directorial touches subtracted from either the play's structure or the characterizations.
The cast could hardly have been better. Jefferson Mays was perfect as Algernon, the master of the quip who unexpectedly fell in love with Cecily. Henry Stram was a grand foil as Worthing. Laurie Kennedy was fabulous in the meaty role of Lady Bracknell, and Laurie Williams was just fine as daughter Gwendolyn. If a male member of the audience did not fall in love with Katie MacNichol as Cecily, he was not breathing. In funny support were Molly Regan as Miss Prism, Cecily's governess with a secret, and Everett Quinton, late of the Ridiculous Theater Company, who broadly played Rev. Chasuble.
The setting by Christine Jones was ingenious, and the costumes of Jess Goldstein were marvelous. A special treat was the original music by Polly Pen. All in all a wonderful Earnest.
