AUBURN — The art of turning a phrase works best when a witty writer turns society upside down. Few were better at it than Oscar Wilde, whose most famous play, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” comes to the Community Little Theatre stage beginning Friday, June 5.

Celeste Philippon directs Wilde’s classic farce, and she said the playwright’s genius continues to shine brightly more than 100 years after he penned this send-up of Victorian society.
In his subtitle, Wilde calls the show “A Trivial Comedy for Serious People.” He takes aim at the superficiality of the British upper crust, poking holes in the absurdity of trivializing institutions as serious as marriage, and the result is a razor-sharp satire of Victorian ways. England’s elite idolized Wilde for his audacity and his flamboyance. The acclaimed author was flying high when this play was first produced in early 1895, but within weeks its success turned sour as Wilde’s scandalous lifestyle led to imprisonment. Basically, he was jailed for being unapologetically gay. He died in his mid-40s.
Philippon has moved the date of the play from 1895 up to 1910. She said the style of clothing in that 15-year period came to be more like we see now. The language, however, remains as Wilde wrote it.
The plot involves two men who have taken the name “Ernest” for their on-the-sly activities, and their deceit leads to hilarious consequences.
One of the schemers is John Worthing, played by Bernie Button. He was last seen at CLT two seasons ago as Roy in “The Odd Couple.”
The other conniver is Algernon Moncrieff, played by David Moisan. He appeared at CLT several years ago in “The Liar,” also directed by Celeste Philippon.
Jen Fox plays Gwendolyn Fairfax, the object of their attention. Fox teaches art, theatre and costuming at Lisbon High School and she is director of the Lisbon High School Drama Club.
Mark Hazard plays Rev. Canon Chausuble. Hazard has appeared in CLT productions including “Proof,” “The Laramie Project,” and “God of Carnage.”
Andrea Quaid appears in the role of Lady Bracknell. Quaid most recently appeared on the CLT stage as Aunt Abby in “Arsenic and Old Lace.”
The role of Merriman is played by Paul Menezes. His CLT credits include Bob/Dave in “Beau Jest,” LTJG Sam Weinberg in “A Few Good Men,” and Vinnie in “The Odd Couple.”
Jane F. Mitchell, in the role of Miss Prism, is appearing in her second CLT show. She played Old Sally in “Oliver!”
Brendan Cassidy as Lane is appearing in his first CLT production.
This the very first play for Genevieve Hering, who has the role of Cecily Cardew.
This play is done in three acts. The location of Act One is the home of Algernon, who is in debt to just about everyone and is a master moocher.
Act Two and Act Three are in the garden.
Philippon emphasized the masterful use of clever language by Wilde. She said his “one-liners” are often right in the middle of a paragraph, and it can be a delight to listen carefully to every line.
Wilde’s quotes from his lifetime of writing included gems such as “True friends stab you in the front,” and “I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word that I am saying.”
Performances of “The Importance of Being Earnest” are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, June 5-6 and 12-13, and on Thursday, June 11. Shows on Sundays, June 7 and 14, are at 2 p.m.
For tickets, call the box office at 783-0958 or go online to www.laclt.com.
The performances are at Great Falls Performing Arts Center, 30 Academy St., Auburn.