REVIEW: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST—A Wilde New Musical

Think you know Wilde's masterpiece? Get to the Lyceum Theatre where David Howard’s sexy, chucklesome take on Wilde’s

"The Importance Of Being Earnest" adds a fresh new touch:

It’s now a Musical! 

JUNE 2—COSTA MESA

Something old and something new. The late Victorian comedy of questionable manners by Oscar Wilde gets a brand-new treatment with bouncy songs and clever staging at American Coast Theater Company’s production of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST — A WILDE NEW MUSICAL.

Directed by Susan K. Berkompas, the hit show is set to run at Vanguard University’s Lyceum Theater through June 8th as part of their summer 2025 season.

Yes, the gang is all here, with Jack, Algernon, and the slightly terrifying Lady Bracknell leading the charge. Bright, shiny, and perhaps a bit cheeky, this tangled web of romance and mistaken identities aims right at your funnybone. If you don’t already know the play, we guarantee you’ll love it; if you do know the play, prepare to fall in love all over again.

American Coast Theater Company at Vanguard University's Lyceum Theater presents THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST—A WILDE NEW MUSICAL, performing May 22nd through June 8.

With its sudden engagements, outrageous coincidences and pretensive alter egos, David Howard’s (Book & Lyrics) take on Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” is delighting audiences everywhere, and is undoubtedly one of the funniest plays ever written, upgrading the original timeless comedy and illuminating it through songs filled with biting, cynical wit, brilliant social commentary, and soaring heart-felt romance. Bret Simmons, from NBC’s “The Megan Mullally Show” wrote the music for this newest adaptation. You most likely have experienced Mr. Simmons’ exceptional comedy talents in the blockbuster film, “Galaxy Quest,” which starred Tim Allen.

American Coast Theater Company at Vanguard University's Lyceum Theater presents THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST—A WILDE NEW MUSICAL, performing May 22nd through June 8.

And just like the play, the musical chews over themes of identity, social class, and the absurdity of the rigid Victorian social structure through Wilde's satirical viewpoint, with heavy input from author David Howard, featuring songs that capture his sharp witted, supercilious slap in the face of stuffy Victorian England, exploring the artificiality of both individuals and society through witty dialogue, choreography and song lyrics. Some of the most memorable include “Victoria Euphoria!” “Bunburrying,” “Swept Away,” “Pins and Needles,” and “The Bag, the Book and the Baby.”

American Coast Theater Company at Vanguard University's Lyceum Theater presents THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST—A WILDE NEW MUSICAL, performing May 22nd through June 8.

And into the bargain, the Lyceum, under the guidance of Vanguard University Theatre Department Chair Susan K. Berkompas, has taken the inane humor, goofy plot twists, dramatic irony, and pinched accents and has created a hilarious satire playing up the foibles and hypocrisy of the priggish, blue-nosed aristocracy. It could be called Wilde on steroids!

But in fact it’s the story of Jack Worthing (Elijah Munck, conveying frustration and sheer buffoonery in an adorably delightful part), who, in order to escape his strict life and obligations in the country, made up Ernest, a fake brother with a very dubious lifestyle in London. Therefore, he is Jack in the country with his young ward, Cecily Cardew (Kristin Corines, embodying a wild, reckless sense of chaos here), and Ernest when in town with his “gentleman of leisure” friend, Algernon Montcrief (a whimsical and witty Scott Roberts).

American Coast Theater Company at Vanguard University's Lyceum Theater presents THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST—A WILDE NEW MUSICAL, performing May 22nd through June 8.

The show is a delight from the first cucumber sandwich on, as Jack's double life catches up with him. The problems are resolved in an extremely charming and quite unexpected way as Jack and Algernon discover the importance of being earnest as the tangled affairs of these two young men about town lead double lives and evade unwanted social obligations.

Algernon also has a cousin — fashion-conscious, sophisticated, and somewhat artificial Gwendolyn Bracknell (Rachel Williams, in a wonderful portrayal of a woman infatuated with the name “Ernest,” and in her pursuit of a husband with that name, goes to great extreme to demonstrate a heavy preoccupation with social standing) — and Jack, who is in love with her, intends to ask for her hand. But first, he will have to convince Gwendolyn’s mother, the formidable Lady Bracknell (Dyan Hobday-Smith, who assumes the part perfectly as the snobbish, sharp-witted, dominating, and highly influential figure of the Victorian upper-class), that he is a fine enough suite for her daughter.

American Coast Theater Company at Vanguard University's Lyceum Theater presents THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST—A WILDE NEW MUSICAL, performing May 22nd through June 8.

Pierre Ekladious, who plays both Lane and Merriman, butlers for Algernon and Jack respectively, nails it with his incredible timing and dry sense of humor, serving as both comedic and character-driven elements in the show. As Algernon’s Lane, Mr. Ekladious is a witty and mischievous butler who delivers sharp, ironic remarks throughout, and as Jack's butler, Merriman, he is more stoic, less verbally expressive, and with a neutral demeanor.

And finally, there’s Alyssa Blaise Kammerer’s beautifully, bumbling, self-righteous Miss Prism, Cecily’s governess who is clearly attracted to the randy Reverend Dr. Chasuble (played by a gifted Josiah Dominguez), who christens both Jack and Algernon with the name “Ernest” to please their lovers. Both are wonderful additions to the mix.

EARNEST… also earns highest marks for the quality of its production values, citing two areas of expertise. The settings designed by Jim Huffman absorb and fascinate with outstanding attention to detail. Individual pieces are lovely to behold, with gorgeous touches of crystal, rich wood features, and saturated colors from wall to wall. Lia M. Hansen’s period costumes also ideally suit the characters and storytelling, specifically the exquisitely tailored jackets and gowns, the louder-patterned dresses, Lady Bracknell's trembling hat feathers, the old-fashioned collars; and the simple, unaffected country frocks that speak to the differences in rural and city life, hierarchies of social status, and individual personalities.

AMERICAN COAST THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS — THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST — A WILDE NEW MUSICAL, Based on “The Importance of Being Earnest” by OSCAR WILDE; with Music by BRET SIMMONS; Book & Lyrics by DAVID HOWARD; Producing Artistic Director SUSAN K. BERKOMPAS; Choreographers HANNAH SIMMONS & SUSAN K. BERKOMPAS; Scenic Designer JIM HUFFMAN; Costume/Makeup Designer LISA M. HANSEN; Lighting Designer GARRETT SPADY; Sound Technician JADEN MASSARO; Audio Engineer ERIC BACKUS; Company/Stage Manager MONTANA LEYVA.

BAND: Musical Director JARED SCOTT III; DAVID PAGE; BRIAN SLACK; NATALIE SUVARNASUDDHI; RAY REINBACH.

WITH: SCOTT ROBERTS, ELIJAH MUNCK, PIERRE EKLADIOUS, DYAN HOBDAY-SMITH, RACHEL WILLIAMS, KRISTIN CORTINES, ALYSSA BLAISE KAMMERER, JOSIAH DOMINGUEZ.

ACTC’S THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST — A WILDE NEW MUSICAL will continue performances through June 8th at Vanguard University Lyceum Theater on the Ed & Dixie Arnold Stage, and is located at 55 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa, 92626. For tickets or for more information, please visit ACTCTickets.com or call the box office at 714-668-6145.

Chris Daniels

Arts & Entertainment Reviewer

The Show Report

Photo Credit: Arabella Chrastina