Stage Review - The Importance of Being Earnest (Taproot Theatre)

Stage Review - The Importance of Being Earnest
Presented By: Taproot Theatre - Seattle, WA
Show Run: September 17 - October 25, 2025
Date Reviewed: Friday, September 19, 2025
Run Time: 2 Hour, 20 minutes (inclusive of a 15-minute intermission)
Reviewed By: Greg Heilman

From its first line, Taproot Theatre’s production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest reminds us why this late-Victorian drawing-room comedy continues to delight: it is, among many things, an exercise in social absurdity polished by razor-sharp wit, and in this production, directed by Bretteney Beverly and already extended through October 25, combine to let both the laughter and the deeper irony land.

Taproot’s production is ultimately an ensemble piece, but its leads are at the true heart of the story. Christopher Clark is exceedingly impressive in his first major role in a professional production. His Algernon Moncrieff is wealthy, entitled, and immature, and Christopher masters the humor of this character through his expressions, mannerisms, and top-notch comic timing. He has an innate ability to deliver a laugh with just the slightest pause, and if there was any pressure on him to perform in this first significant role, he doesn’t show it. He’s cool, calm, and utterly owns the character. There’s a muted flamboyance about his portrayal that feels like precisely what Wilde intended when he wrote Algernon, making his performance layered rather than over the top. At the same time, his “partner in crime”, or should I say “Bunburing”, Calder Jameson Shilling continues to show why he is one of the best character actors in the area with his portrayal of Jack Worthing. He and Christopher share a wonderful chemistry and a sharp pace of dialogue between them. Their mastery of accents is superb, with clear credit to the excellent work of dialect coach Dimitri Woods. In fact, everyone’s accent in the production is spot-on, consistent from start to finish, and each adds immeasurably to the humor. Calder’s particular strength lies in his ability to play the nervous friend, giving Jack a barely contained paranoia that makes his moments of near-discovery both hilarious and believable.

Kelly Karcher is exceedingly sweet as Gwendolen Fairfax, providing a poised foil to Alegra Batara’s Cecily Cardew, who brings youthful exuberance and a zest for life to her role. Their Act 2 confrontation, a verbal sparring match filled with politeness masking daggers, is one of the production’s most satisfying scenes. The highlight for me, out of the supporting group, is Shaunyce Omar, who commands the stage as Lady Bracknell. She has so much presence that when she steps into a scene, she completely owns it. Her costume — with a stunning, oversized hat and a bold, beautiful dress — matches her character’s commanding personality. One of her standout moments comes during Lady Bracknell’s interrogation of Jack to determine if he is worthy of her daughter’s hand, a scene that doesn’t just show her character’s true personality, it also is a perfect example of the strength that Shaunyce brings to the role.

Janelle Jordan’s Miss Prism offers a dry delivery full of well-placed sarcasm, which plays beautifully against Nik Doner’s Reverend Chasuble. Nik’s Chasuble is a delightfully hapless priest who seems blissfully unaware of social cues, providing a perfect comedic balance to Miss Prism’s restrained wit. The interplay between Miss Prism and Cecily also brings a warm energy to the country scenes, grounding the farce in relationships that feel lived-in.

The production is full of highlights, but several scenes rise to the top. The “muffin scene” between Algernon and Jack is a perfect example of physical comedy done right, Shaunyce’s performance in the climactic final scene is absolutely fantastic, balancing humor and tension as Wilde’s carefully spun web of lies unravels, and the Act 2 confrontation between Kelly and Alegra as Gwendolyn and Cecily is beyond the best of the show for my money.

The design team builds a world as rich as the characters inhabiting it. Parmida Ziaei’s scenic design is nothing short of fantastic, especially considering the space limitations of Taproot’s Jewell Mainstage, proving that Parmida can design for any theatre space. The first act’s setting in Algernon’s well-appointed London flat feels exquisite and stylish, setting the tone for the play’s social satire. When the action moves to Jack’s country estate in Act 2, Parmida’s work reaches a new level. The transformation includes a marble fountain, a cast iron settee, and lush flower boxes adorning the patio — a stunning shift from the urban interior of Act 1, where those same flower boxes doubled as benches. Danielle Nieves’ costume designs are equally brilliant. Christopher’s Algernon wears clothing that screams leisure and indulgence, while Calder’s Jack is buttoned-up and proper, perfectly reflecting his character’s uptight nature. Tucker Goodman’s lighting subtly distinguishes the two worlds, while Mark Lund’s sound design provides just the right amount of atmosphere to elevate key moments without overwhelming them.

Bretteney Beverly’s direction keeps the pacing lively and the humor sharp. The first two acts move briskly, with dialogue snapping back and forth like verbal ping-pong, or perhaps a better analogy is with volleyball, the first act is the dig, the second. is the set, and the third, as the story’s revelations pile up, is the spike. Bretteney has cleverly prevented the need for a second intermission between acts 2 and 3 with a creatively orchestrated, and extremely funny, set change. The production as a whole wisely leans into contrast: the elegance of Victorian manners colliding with the chaos beneath, an approach that highlights why Wilde’s work remains timeless.

Oscar Wilde famously described The Importance of Being Earnest as “a trivial comedy for serious people,” and Taproot’s production captures that paradox beautifully. It offers abundant laughter, yes, but also a thoughtful reflection on sincerity and social expectation. Even today, when questions of identity and perception are as charged as ever, Wilde’s humor still has bite. This production is a joy: gorgeously designed, sharply performed, and consistently hilarious. Whether you’re drawn by the wit, the physical comedy, or the sheer pleasure of watching a masterfully assembled cast at work, this production delivers on every level. It’s the kind of show you want to recommend immediately to friends, knowing they’ll thank you after a night spent laughing and marveling at Wilde’s genius and the wonderful way in which this group presents it.

The Importance of Being Earnest runs on stage at Taproot Theatre’s Jewell Mainstage through October 25. For more information, including ticket availability and sales, visit https://taproottheatre.org/.

Photo credit: Robert Wade