An Oscar Wilde Classic Gets a New Twist in Free Central Park Production
By Carol Tannenhauser
“When one is in town one amuses oneself. When one is in the country one amuses other people,” observes the main character in the first act of Oscar Wilde’s classic satire, The Importance of Being Earnest. Clearly, things haven’t changed that much since the play was written in 1895!
If you’re in town from May 28th through June 16th, you can amuse yourself by attending a free, outdoor performance in Central Park of The Importance of Being Earnest, with an intriguing twist: every other night, the entire cast will change genders and roles. Presented by NY Classical, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to revitalize and offer the classics to all New Yorkers, the production answers the age-old question, “Who really wears the pants in 19th century England?”
Performances will start at 7 p.m., and take place Tuesdays through Sundays on the west side of Central Park, between 100th and 103rd Streets. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are traditional casting. Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays are reversed. For further information, or to make a free reservation or find out about rain cancellations, click here.
