The Importance of Being Earnest opens Friday, August 14 and runs through Sunday, September 26 at the Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Free parking behind theatre. Show times: Fri. & Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. Regular tickets are $20; seniors and students, $17; children, $12. Call (626) 355-4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org
“It doesn’t matter if it’s on Broadway or in someone’s backyard,” says director Patricia Wylie, “I love theatre. I have to do it.”
Ironically enough, sitting on the set of the recently closed production of Proof at the Sierra Madre playhouse, it looks exactly as though we are in someone’s backyard. But this director has big plans for the intimate playhouse in quaint downtown Sierra Madre. Shying away from the light comedies that have been standard for surviving the economy, Wylie believes each of the six plays she directed at Sierra Madre has contributed to the more educated and diverse audience now frequenting the playhouse. Most recent in this line is The Importance of Being Ernest, opening Friday, August 14th.
Koni McCurdy, Jessica Culaciati and Phil Apoian in Ernest
“I’ve wanted to do this play my whole life,” she says. Having “studied it since middle school,” Wylie received her masters in English literature and theatre, as well as taught the play to her own high school students. While the witty jokes and biting satire always enrapture the audience, Wylie believes the play has important messages about society that are still applicable. “Wilde was a rebel in his own time,” and said some “remarkable things about human beings.” Wylie’s focus is on finding the real moments buried beneath the snappy dialogue to humanize the characters, as well as subtly integrating movement into the lyrical text.
To hear more about this new take on an old favorite, click below to watch a video interview with Patricia Wylie:
Feature image of Patricia Wylie courtesy of Patricia Wylie and the Sierra Madre Playhouse. Story image by Ward Calaway.
Patsy, this is terrific. I am so proud of you, sister Lynne.