In this musical adaptation of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, Tony and Olivier Award nominee Euan Morton stars as Algernon Moncrieff in a production that transports the classic comedy of manners from Victorian-era England to the swinging London of 1965. The world premiere at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley brings mod fashion, new music, and evolving ideas of morality to Wilde's beloved masterpiece.
Synopsis
Set in 1965 London's swinging Carnaby Street, Being Earnest follows handsome, witty young friends Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who each adopt the pseudonym "Ernest" for various complicated reasons. When the two women they court both confess to loving the name as much as the man, and all four unexpectedly meet at Worthing's country home under the disapproving eye of Lady Bracknell, one of theatre's most sharp-tongued dowagers, a wild comedy of romance and mistaken identities ensues.
The musical maintains all the elements of Oscar Wilde's much-loved comedy – including the infamous handbag – while adding a modern twist with an infectious score by Paul Gordon and Jay Gruska that evokes the sound of the British Invasion.
Euan as Algernon Moncrieff
In Being Earnest, Euan Morton portrays Algernon Moncrieff, a witty, charming, and somewhat mischievous bachelor living in London. In this 1960s reimagining, Algernon sports a lilac Nehru jacket and brings a Dudley Moore-style flippancy to the role. Critics noted Morton's "wry panache" and praised his performance in this musical adaptation.
This marked Euan Morton's TheatreWorks debut, adding to his impressive resume that already included his Tony-nominated performance as Boy George in Taboo, as well as appearances in Broadway's Sondheim on Sondheim and Cyrano de Bergerac, and numerous regional theatre productions.
Critical Reception
Talkin' Broadway called the production an "effervescence musical, which is filled with the verve and buoyancy of 1965 London" and praised Euan Morton as "splendid" with "a vibrant voice, especially in the upbeat 'Brothers'" which was "delivered with cynical flamboyance." The review also noted that Morton "catches that wonderful style of acting that was popular during the Victorian times."
The Mercury News review stated that "Morton nimbly brings a Dudley Moore-style flippancy to Algie" and noted the cast's "ebullience" in smoothing out the production's rough spots.
Beyond Chron described the musical as "sly, adroit and the most hilarious musical ever" with "priceless" lyrics, noting that "Euan Morton sings exhilarating ditties" throughout the production.
For All Events praised the production's "charming star quality," with particular emphasis on Euan Morton's performance, stating that "as Algernon, Euan Morton is an expert at portraying the blasé wit and charm that is crucial for any Wilde comedy." The review highlighted his exceptional comedic timing and vocal talents that brought vibrant energy to the production.
About the Musical
Being Earnest was a new musical adaptation created by Tony Award-nominated composer/lyricist Paul Gordon (known for Jane Eyre, Emma, and Daddy Long Legs) and Grammy and Emmy-nominated composer Jay Gruska. After being a hit at TheatreWorks' 2012 New Works Festival, the musical received its world premiere production in April 2013.
Director Robert Kelley, TheatreWorks' artistic director, embraced the transformation of Wilde's classic into the mod era. The production featured 1960s-inspired costumes including go-go boots, Nehru jackets, and Mondrian dresses, creating a vibrant visual experience that complemented the witty dialogue and melodic score.
Euan in Being Earnest
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The programme
View the programme:
Links
Official Site
TheatreWorks
Selection of Articles
Playbill.com - Tony Nominee Euan Morton Stars in TheatreWorks Musical Premiere, Being Earnest, Beginning April 3
Mercury News - Review: 'Being Earnest' sparkles but does not shine at TheatreWorks
Talkin' Broadway - Regional Reviews: San Francisco - Being Earnest
BroadwayWorld.com - Photos: First Look at Hayden Tee, Euan Morton and More in TheatreWorks' Being Earnest
