Student Actors to Revive Local Theatrical History at Middle PAC

COURT HOUSE – When twelve students from Middle Township High School present the time honored comedy ”The Importance Of Being Earnest“ at The Performing Arts Center on Nov. 14 and 15, there will be more than passing interest in the man who wrote the play.
Playwright Oscar Wilde created quite a stir Aug. 26, 1882 when he came to Cape May to deliver a lecture at the Stockton Hotel as part of a year long tour that took him to some 150 venues. He traveled by train and sometimes by mule. At Cape May, when he was 27 years old, Wilde spoke before an audience of 600 and the hotel ownership darkened the windows so no one could peek in and see him from the outside.
Legend has it that when the Irish born playwright arrived in New York City early in 1882, he told custom officials he had nothing to declare but his genius.
It was not until more than a decade later that he wrote the farce “The Importance of Being Earnest,” which has been called a “trivial comedy for serious people.” It was first produced in London at The St. James Theatre in February 1895, five years before Wilde died in 1900 at the age of 46. It has been the most popular of his works and still is performed today at colleges, high schools, community and professional theaters.
The play is being presented at The PAC by Middle Township High School’s Parkway Players under the direction of teacher Jacklyn Buckingham, who received part of her education in London. She said she chose this play because she wanted a comedy of long running historical significance
The cast includes Rob Cline, Connor Wynn, Chelsea Morrisey, Emily Wannen, Anika Buchanan, Chloe Selover, Marshall Brown, Michael Seitzinger, Jenn Williams, Paige Grady, Narcisse Cortez-Lopez and Erin Shalick.
Performances are at 7 p.m. Nov. 14, and 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 15. Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $8 for students. Call 463-1924 for tickets.