Event Article

Legendary playwright Oscar Wilde will bestow his comedic ' genius upon the Fullerton College Bronwyn Dodson Theater in early May.

Okay, maybe he will-not do so personally (The author and playwright has been dead for over a century), but his presence will be felt in the form of his most enduring masterpiece.

"The Importance of Being Earnest" was to be Wilde's final play following its late 9th century production.

It features a collection of upper class, charmingly off-kilter characters that have a penchant for attacking life's trivialities with the seriousness of a heart -attack (Think of any given "Sieinfeld" plotline).

Play Director Chuck Ketter is confident that the Fullerton College Theater Arts Department will be successful in bringing this classic to a contemporary audience.

"Though this piece, was. written over a century ago, and about the British class system, it translates beautifully to our own U.S. "History", says Ketter, "especially when we explore the class structure evident in the South - both old and new."

Indeed, Ketter's production of "Earnest" is an interesting exploration in itself. The play features a double casting of the roles, allowing for it to be set in two different time periods on ' alternating evenings - one in 1895 England," and the other in the present day American South.

Ketter believes that the recent popularity of the film "Gossford Park" indicates a viable interest in class structure pieces like "Earnest."

The prevalence of media outlets devoted primarily to "celebrity news" seems to support his theory.

Although whether or not there is any newfound public interest is debatable, the common man and woman's thirst to know about society's upper-crust.has spanned every generation since Wilde first penned his story.

A professional scene designer for over 20 years, Ketter's resume promises to bring accuracy and flair to the contrasting time periods in which he has set this "Trivial Comedy for Serious People."

"The Importance of Being

Earnest" comes on the heels of a long list of Ketter directed productions at.Fullerton College, including "Macbeth" and "Assassins." The comedy and delight of this timeless play can be seen at Fullerton College's own Bronwyn Dodson Theater on May 2-5 and 9-12.