The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde’s dazzling comedy of manners, wonders if finding out that you are who you have been pretending to be is an absolute triumph or total disaster. Jack and Algernon juggle their country lives and city lives as befits elegant young gentlemen. But they haven’t really reckoned with the wit and skill of Gwendolyn and Cicely, who know the value of having a sensational diary and want the veneration aristocratic young ladies must certainly deserve. A perennial favorite of the English-speaking stage, this show is a wonderful period piece that is also full of constantly renewing insight about the farce and pathos of gender norms, social roles, and self-knowledge. Let’s have both freeing love matches and high tea!

Performance dates and times

• Nov 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9: 7:30 p.m.
• Nov 2 & 9: 2 p.m. matinee