by James Wilkinson

‘The Importance of Being Ernest’ –  Written by Oscar Wilde. Directed by Danielle Fauteux Jacques. Musical Direction/Sound Design: David Reiffel. Costume Design: Elizabeth Rocha. Scenic Design: Marc Poirier. Dialect Coach: Christopher Sherwood Davis. Produced by Apollinaire Theatre Company at the Chelsea Theater, November 19-December 19, 2021

Apollinaire Theatre’s The Importance of Being Ernest is a stately affair. The cucumber sandwiches are cut neatly into precise triangles with the crust removed. The porcelain tea sets sparkle under the stage lights. The hats come with a variety of plumage and sit atop actors who have been upholstered into their costumes, (quick shout out to costume designer Elizabeth Rocha, whose period work is excellent). The mood is loose and silly without ever tumbling into full-on goofy territory. Without question, it manages to do absolutely everything you expect an Oscar Wilde play to do. I’ll confess to walking into the show hoping to see the creative team take a bigger swing on the material but getting distracted by the show that could have been does a disservice to the charms of the show that’s in front of you. There’s a good-heartedness to the production. You feel warm toward the endeavor. We’re not being sold anything. It’s not making any promises it can’t fulfill. The actors on stage are working as honestly as they can and offering up their best. “Let’s just have a laugh at frivolous things and have some fun,” they seem to be saying. Indeed, why not? It may appear a small matter, but it’s a kernel of an idea reminding us why we go to the theater in the first place.

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