Written by orange• May 27, 2025• 6:06 pm• American Coast Theatre Company, Costa Mesa, Musical, Review, Theater, Uncategorized, Vanguard Uni

ACTC Presents: The Importance Of Being Earnest A Wilde New Musical @ Vanguard University – Review

Photo Credit: Arabella Chrastina

Written by Daniella Litvak

If you searched for lists of the greatest plays of all time, it is practically guaranteed that Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest will be on it. (If not, then it says more about the list maker than it does about the play.) It features delightful characters, an engaging plot, and – of course – it is chock-full of the trademark Wilde wit, which makes it endlessly quotable. What more could you ask for from a play? How about adding in a few songs or turning it into a full-blown musical? And that is how we get American Coast Theater Company presents The Importance Of Being Earnest, A Wilde New Musical.

The classic story you know and love remains the same. Set in Victorian England, Jack Worthing (Elijah Munck) is a gentleman of sterling character raising his ward, Cecily (Kristin Cortines), at his lovely country estate. The only blemish in his idyllic existence is his good-for-nothing brother Ernest, who is constantly causing trouble. Actually, Jack doesn’t have a brother. Ernest is an alter ego he invented as an excuse to go to London and carouse with his buddy Algernon (Scott Roberts) and flirt with Gwendolyn (Rachel Williams). Complications and chaos (well what passes for chaos in Victorian England) ensues when Jack as Ernest proposes to Gwendolyn and Algernon discovers Jack’s secret.

To the show’s credit, the inclusion of musical numbers felt pretty seamless and not like an unnecessary appendage grafted onto the body of the play. They were fun and had good energy. The song about Bunburying[1] was a highlight. The singers and the musicians performed them well.

The cast as a whole gave a good performance. Surprise, surprise, Roberts as Algernon was a standout. Algernon is just one of those dream roles. When people quote The Importance of Being Earnest, the chances are good that they are quoting an Algernon line. Still, in the wrong hands, he could come off as obnoxious. Roberts ensures he is charming and always fun to watch. Pierre Ekladious as Lane, Algernon’s butler, was also a scene stealer.

Dyan Hobday-Smith as Lady Bracknell had big dame energy.

The show takes place in two locations, Algernon’s London and the garden of Jack’s country estate. Both looked suitably Victorian. The garden set was more visually interesting of the two, and I liked how the show transitioned between locations. The set design also included second-story platforms, which they made good use of, especially when Cecily and Gwendolyn spy on Algernon and Jack. Garret Spady’s lighting design was great, especially when he used bold, colorful lighting to punctuate key moments.

Like the set design by Jim Huffman, the costumes by designer Lia M. Hansen suited the period. They were bright and vibrant. I liked how Cecily and Gwendolyn were dressed in opposite colors—Cecily in red and pink, and Gwendolyn in green. I also appreciated how distinguishable town wear was from country wear.

If you are looking for something fun and breezy, head to Vanguard University for The Importance of Being Earnest, a Wilde New Musical.

[1] Algernon’s term for inventing individuals.