AUBURN — Victorian traditions take a delightfully amusing thrashing in Community Little Theatre’s current production of Oscar Wilde’s celebrated play, “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

Considering the play’s debut 120 years ago and its theme of triviality in an obsolete upper-class society, it may take a leap of faith to expect a high degree of entertainment in a 2015 production.
Don’t worry. Jump right in. Wilde’s most famous play is still a magnificent showcase of his nonstop satirical wit. His dialogue is packed full of quips aimed at puncturing Victorian society’s tendency to trivialize some fundamentals of civilization such as marriage. For example, “The Importance of Being Earnest” has three marriage engagement announcements in just five minutes at the play’s end.

Celeste Philippon’s casting and direction of “The Importance of Being Earnest” is ideally suited to this classic play’s revival on a local stage. The sets are simple, but suitably evocative of a Victorian drawing room and garden. The play’s time frame is moved from London of 1895 to about 1910, which allows for less complicated costuming. The dialogue and well-bred demeanor of the characters is spot-on.

Andrea Quaid’s portrayal of Lady Bracknell is excellent. She’s the quintessential embodiment of a straight-laced Victorian matriarch who defends the era’s social conventions with a warm heart. Quaid owns the stage in every aspect of her role. Her imposing presence is balanced by a compassionate application of English society’s rules.

The plot of the play revolves around two men who are entangled in double lives. They have each taken the name “Ernest” for their duplicitous activities, and the deceit unravels with amusing results.

David Moison delivers an outstanding performance as Algernon Moncrieff. He has mastered the egocentric pretentiousness of his character. His pink suit is right at home in this play, echoing the foppish style of the playwright.

Algernon constantly has his hand in the tea tray pastries and cucumber sandwiches. He takes nothing seriously, and that’s disconcerting to his friend, John (Jack) Worthing.

Bernie Button gives a fine performance as the second “Ernest.” He’s worried about the consequences of the identity deception, while Algernon tosses it off as unimportant.

Genevieve Herring makes a memorable appearance in her first theatrical role. She plays Cecily Cardew, who is the object of Algernon’s affection. Herring’s debut promises big things for her future theatrical career.

Jennifer Fox ably handles the role of Gwendolyn Fairfax, Lady Bracknell’s daughter whose betrothal to John, known as Ernest to her, hinges on verification of his social status. Fox is new to CLT. She appeared in CLT’s “Spamalot” and she is director of the Lisbon High School Drama Club.

The actors in several supporting roles maintain the high quality of the production.
Mark Hazard, veteran of numerous local theatrical presentations, plays Rev. Canon Chasuble, and Jane F. Mitchell, in her second CLT show, plays Miss Prism, Cecily’s governess. Both the cleric and the governess hold keys to the plot’s outcome.

Brendan Cassidy as Lane, Algernon’s manservant, and Paul Menezes as Merriman, the butler, present absolutely proper portrayals of staunch British domestic servants. Cassidy is new to CLT and Menezes has appeared in several CLT shows.

The crew also should be credited with fine work. They include Stephanie Lynn, assistant director; John Blanchette and his capable set design and construction team; and others involved in costuming, props and set décor.

Remaining performances of “The Importance of Being Earnest” are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 11-13, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14.
For tickets, call 783-0958 or go online to www.LACLT.com.
Shows are at the Great Falls Performing Arts Center, 30 Academy St., Auburn.