Categories: Curtain Call

A Gay Take on a Classic

By John Farrell

The Importance of Being Earnest is Oscar Wilde’s incredibly witty play about the antics of a couple of British gentlemen in love in the 1890’s.

It seems to be as heterosexual as a play could be, but re-imagined by Queer Classics and director Casey Kringlen it is just as delightful as a play about two men in love with two other men. Indeed re-imagined is a big word for the process involved. Just substitute two men as Cecily and Gwendolyn, a few leers extra, and make no other changes, and the play, done seriously as it must be, is every bit as witty as ever and even a bit funnier.

Boone Platt is Jack, the young man who loves Gwendolen (Mason McCulley) but cannot marry her because her Aunt, the formidable and strongly opinionated Lady Bracknell (Nancy La Scala) does not approve of the fact that he has no parents. (He was adopted.)

Algernon (Philip Orazio) schemes to find out what his friend Jack does in the country and succeeds, meeting Cecily (Grant Jordan) and falling in love. Miss Prism (Megan Soule) and Dr. Chasuble are also on hand as the denouement occurs, with Eric DeLoretta doubling in the roles of Lane and Merriman, two very different valets who both have great lines.

The play, done in one act (and a little cut, without much harm) relies on one difference. The idea of two gentlemen marrying two others is never remarked, never even thought of. The objections raised to the two marriages, and the final resolution, are identical to the earlier version, and, frankly, everything is just as funny this way, right down to the final punning line that finishes the play.

Jack and Algernon carry the play with their serious and delightful straight faces, La Scala’s Lady Bracknell an elegantly dressed and properly fierce embodiment of Victorian propriety, and Jordan and McCulley frightfully precious as Cecily and Gwendolyn. This Earnest is a funny, bright trip through the Victorian sensibilities but with a wickedly humorous change.

Tickets are $15. Performances are June 19 at 8:30 p.m. and June 22 at 11 p.m.

Details: (323)455-4585www.queerclassics.com
Venue: Let Live Theater
Location: 916 N. Formosa Ave., Los Angeles

 

Reporters Desk

Recent Posts

He Tells the Truth When He Lies: A JD Vance Primer on Building Conspiracies

By Allison Butler Lately, I’ve had lyrics to ‘I’ve Got No Idols,’ by 1990s indie-darling…

2 hours ago

Long Beach Gears Up for October Arts Month with Open Studio Tours

  LB Open Studio Tour 2025, October is Arts Month In celebration of Long Beach…

2 hours ago

Charge Your Car, Not Your Wallet, Carson Launches EV Charging Wallet Pilot Program

  CARSON — The City of Carson announced the launch of the first-of-its-kind EV charging…

3 hours ago

Washington’s Complex Agenda in the Middle East

Washington hopes with all this firepower to maintain control over oil resources and stave off…

3 hours ago

California Expands Workforce Support and Protects Homeland Security Funding

Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Expanding Workers’ Rights SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom Sept. 30 signed…

4 hours ago

Gaza Aid Flotillas Defy Israeli Blockade to Bring Medicine and Food to Palestinians

Denying Gazans humanitarian aid, impeding ships in international waters and arresting at gunpoint those onboard…

4 hours ago