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The Importance of Being Earnest Revival 2011

Run Time:
2 hours and 20 minutes, with two intermissions
Ages: 8+
Opened: January 13, 2011
Closing: July 03, 2011

The Importance of Being Earnest - 2011 Broadway History , Info & More

Todd Haimes Theatre (Broadway)
229 W. 42nd St. New York, NY

The Importance of Being Earnest is a glorious comedy of mistaken identity, which ridicules codes of propriety and etiquette. Dashing men-about-town John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff pursue fair ladies Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. Matters are complicated by the imaginary characters invented by both men to cover their on-the-sly activities - not to mention the disapproval of Gwendolen's mother, the formidable Lady Bracknell.


The Importance of Being Earnest - 2011 - Broadway Cast

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR The Importance of Being Earnest

The lady mans up in a wickedly Wilde revival
8 / 10

Luckily, in this Roundabout revival, Lady Bracknell is played by Brian Bedford. She couldn't be in better hands. The 75-year-old star -- who also directs -- is consistently funny without resorting to camp or caricature. He's a master of the precise pause and the arched eyebrow, evoking laughter simply by dropping his voice an octave on a word. Floating onstage like a galleon in full sail (excellent costumes by Desmond Heeley), he basically plays the Gorgon straight.

The Importance of Being Earnest
9 / 10

Bedford may be the star of this vehicle, but he's shrewd enough to surround himself with sturdy backup, none cleverer at their jobs than Dana Ivey and Paxton Whitehead, a dynamite comic duo as the lovesick tutor Miss Prism and the obtuse vicar, the Reverend Canon Chasuble. As the arbiter of all matters of good taste, even the uncompromising Lady Bracknell would agree that, from top to bottom, this is one fine cast.

Star Spotlight: IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST's Jessie Austrian
by Roundabout Theatre Company - June 22, 2011


Star Profile: Name: Jessie Austrian Show: The Importance of Being Earnest Character: Gwendolen Fairfax

BWW Interviews: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST's David Furr
by Joseph F. Panarello - June 15, 2011


One of the nicest aspects of seeing a play in The Roundabout's beautiful American Airlines Theatre is that it has fine acoustics. Little, if any, amplification is used when drama or comedies are staged at that venue do nothing stands between the actors' voices and the audience's ears. Such is the case with the charming revival of Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST which will be presented there until June 26th.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Enters Final Weeks of Performances
by Kelsey Denette - June 3, 2011


Final weeks have begun for the limited engagement of Roundabout Theatre Company's critically acclaimed and Tony nominated production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford as 'Lady Bracknell.' The final performance of the 28-week run will be Sunday, June 26th at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd St.).

Roundabout's IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Released in Movie Theaters Today
by BWW News Desk - June 2, 2011


Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) critically acclaimed Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford, was filmed live with multiple high definition cameras during public performances on March 11 and 12, 2011 at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd St.).

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Receives Additional HD Screenings
by Kelsey Denette - May 3, 2011


Roundabout Theatre Company, L.A. Theatre Works and BY Experience are thrilled to announce additional dates and venues for the upcoming screening of Roundabout's critically acclaimed & Tony Award nominated Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring 2011 Tony nominee Brian Bedford.

EARNEST's Brian Bedford Set For WQXR Radio Today
by BWW News Desk - April 30, 2011


Brian Bedford, star and director of Roundabout Theatre Company's new Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, will be featured on WQXR Radio (105.9 FM) at 11AM on Saturday, April 30th hosted by Elliott Forrest.

EARNEST's Brian Bedford Set For WQXR Radio 4/30
by Gabrielle Sierra - April 29, 2011


Brian Bedford, star and director of Roundabout Theatre Company's new Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, will be featured on WQXR Radio (105.9 FM) at 11AM on Saturday, April 30th hosted by Elliott Forrest.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST's Brian Bedford to be Featured on NY1 With Ben Brantley, 4/16
by Kelsey Denette - April 15, 2011


Brian Bedford, star and director of Roundabout Theatre Company's The Importance of Being Earnest, and The New York Times' Ben Brantley will be featured on NY1 'The New York Times Closeup' in an interview with Sam Roberts this Saturday, April 16th at 10PM on Channel 1.

STAGE TUBE: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Live in HD Trailer!
by Kelsey Denette - April 14, 2011


Screenings begin accros the U.S. and internationally on June 2 with other varying dates through June 30. For more information, visit http://www.EarnestHD.com. View the trailer now by clicking below!

Dates Announced for THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST in Theaters
by Kelsey Denette - April 11, 2011


Roundabout Theatre Company, L.A. Theatre Works and BY Experience are thrilled to announce dates and venues for the upcoming screening of Roundabout's critically acclaimed Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford.

STAGE TUBE: Sneak Peek of EARNEST on Film!
by Nicole Rosky - April 11, 2011


Roundabout Theatre Company, L.A. Theatre Works and BY Experience are thrilled to announce dates and venues for the upcoming screening of Roundabout's critically acclaimed Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford. Click below for a sneak peek of the filmed material!

Dates & Venues Announced for EARNEST Film Screenings
by Nicole Rosky - April 11, 2011


Roundabout Theatre Company, L.A. Theatre Works and BY Experience are thrilled to announce dates and venues for the upcoming screening of Roundabout's critically acclaimed Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Welcomes Murray, Houdyshell, Austrian
by BWW News Desk - March 22, 2011


Roundabout Theatre Company has announced that Brian Murray, Jayne Houdyshell and Jessie Austrian will join the critically acclaimed Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford as 'Lady Bracknell,' at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway.

Photo Flash: IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Celebrates 100 Performances
by Nicole Rosky - March 16, 2011


Tonight Tuesday, March 15th, Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is thrilled to celebrate the 100th performance of the new Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford as 'Lady Bracknell,' at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd St.).

IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Celebrates 100th Performance
by Nicole Rosky - March 15, 2011


Tonight Tuesday, March 15th, Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is thrilled to celebrate the 100th performance of the new Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford as 'Lady Bracknell,' at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd St.).

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST To Be Filmed In HD For Cinemas
by Gabrielle Sierra - March 3, 2011


Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) critically acclaimed Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford, will be filmed live with multiple high definition cameras during public performances on March 11 and 12, 2011 at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd St.).

Roundabout's IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST to be Filmed Live; Released in Theatres in June
by Nicole Rosky - March 1, 2011


Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) critically acclaimed Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford, will be filmed live with multiple high definition cameras during public performances on March 11 and 12, 2011 at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd St.).

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Welcomes Murray, Houdyshell, Austrian, 3/22
by Jessica Lewis - February 23, 2011


Roundabout Theatre Company has announced that Brian Murray, Jayne Houdyshell and Jessie Austrian will join the critically acclaimed Broadway production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford as 'Lady Bracknell,' at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway.

EARNEST'S Brian Bedford To Guest On Leonard Lopate 2/21
by BWW News Desk - February 21, 2011


Brian Bedford, star and director of The Importance of Being Earnest will be interviewed live on Monday, February 21st at 1PM for "The Leonard Lopate Show".

EARNEST'S Brian Bedford To Guest On Leonard Lopate 2/21
by Gabrielle Sierra - February 18, 2011


Brian Bedford, star and director of The Importance of Being Earnest will be interviewed live on Monday, February 21st at 1PM for "The Leonard Lopate Show".

The Importance of Being Earnest takes WNBC's LX-NY Backstage Tonight
by Gabrielle Sierra - February 8, 2011


Santino Fontana and David Furr of The Importance of Being Earnest take WNBC's "LX-NY" behind the scenes tonight! Tune in to WNBC channel 4 between 5:00pm and 6:00pm.

The Importance of Being Earnest History

Other Productions of The Importance of Being Earnest

1895   Broadway
Broadway
1902   Broadway
Broadway
1910   Broadway
Broadway
1921   Broadway
Broadway
1926   Broadway
Broadway
1939   Broadway
Broadway
1947   Broadway
Broadway
1977   Broadway
Broadway
1985   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
1996   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
2002   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
2003   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
2008   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
2011   Broadway Roundabout Revival
Broadway
2012   West End Old Red Lion Theatre Production West End Transfer
West End
2015   West End West End
West End
2018   West End West End Production
West End
2022   West End
West End

The Importance of Being Earnest - 2011 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2011 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Revival of a Play The Importance of Being Earnest
2011 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Costume Design Desmond Heeley
2011 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Brian Bedford
2011 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Revival of a Play 0
2011 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Costume Design Desmond Heeley
2011 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Brian Bedford
2011 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Revival of a Play 0
2011 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Set Design Desmond Heeley
2011 Tony Awards Best Costume Design of a Play Desmond Heeley
2011 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play Brian Bedford
2011 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Play Roundabout Theatre Company
2011 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Play Todd Haimes
2011 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Play Harold Wolpert
2011 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Play Julia C. Levy

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