L.A. Theatre Works is bringing back Roundabout’s critically acclaimed Broadway production of Oscar Wilde’s comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford and filmed live in HD. Previously shown in movie theaters across the country, The Importance of Being Earnest: Live in HD is being made available to home viewers for the first time with a new, limited stream offer from May 1 through June 30, 2021.
This is a glorious comedy of mistaken identity, which ridicules codes of propriety and etiquette. Dashing men-about-town John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff pursue fair ladies Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. Matters are complicated by the imaginary characters invented by both men to cover their on-the-sly activities — not to mention the disapproval of Gwendolen’s mother, the formidable Lady Bracknell.
This high-definition event brings the best of Broadway to movie audiences, and includes the added bonus of host David Hyde Pierce taking viewers backstage for a special behind-the-scenes peek. “This delightful production of Earnest shouldn’t be missed, and for the people who couldn’t see it on Broadway, Broadway is coming to them,” he said.
An intermission special features Alfred Molina and Oscar Wilde expert Michael Hackett discussing Wilde, the writer and the man.
“The Importance of Being Earnest: Live in HD” was captured live in high-definition from Roundabout’s American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd St.) and features the original cast of the 2011 Broadway production.
Tickets to view the stream are $15 USD / $18 CAD / £10 GBP per household and are on sale now at latw.org/hd-screenings as well as at theatermania.stream/products/the-importance-of-being-earnest.
