Oscar Wilde's hit romantic comedy The Importance of Being Earnest extended through October 25

Production photos now available online

SEATTLE, WA — September 18, 2025 — Taproot Theatre extends Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, which returns to Taproot for the first time in nearly 20 years. Opening September 19, this satirical masterpiece now runs through October 25 at Taproot’s Jewell Mainstage Theatre (204 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103).

A play of love and snacks, indulge in the delightful absurdity of Oscar Wilde's comedic masterpiece! In this dazzling display of deception and desire, two charming bachelors bumble through a maze of mistaken identities and appetites. Sharp, smart, and satirical, Wilde called his most popular work “A trivial comedy for serious people.”

Taproot has produced a slate of other Wilde classics, including A Woman of No Importance in 2023, Lady Windemere’s Fan in 2018, and An Ideal Husband in 2011. “We have an excellent history of producing the works of Oscar Wilde and we always enjoy bringing them to our stage” said Associate Artistic Director Bretteney Beverly. “Building on this legacy, audiences can expect a typical evening of Wilde entertainment, but with a fresh, diverse, and vibrant approach to The Importance of Being Earnest.”

From left to right: Kelly Karcher as Gwendolen Fairfax, Shaunyce Omar as Lady Bracknell, and Christopher Clark as Algernon Moncrief in The Importance of Being Earnest at Taproot Theatre (September 2025). Photo by Robert Wade.

Calder Jameson Shilling as Jack Worthing and Kelly Karcher in The Importance of Being Earnest at Taproot Theatre (September 2025). Photo by Robert Wade.

Christopher Clark as Algernon Moncrief and Calder Jameson Shilling as Jack Worthing in The Importance of Being Earnest at Taproot Theatre (September 2025). Photo by Robert Wade.

From left to right: Kelly Karcher as Gwendolen Fairfax, Calder Jameson Shilling as Jack Worthing, Christopher Clark as Algernon Moncrief, and Alegra Batara as Cecily Cardew in The Importance of Being Earnest at Taproot Theatre (September 2025). Photo by Robert Wade.

The production stars Calder Jameson Shilling as Jack Worthing, a respected young man who leads a double life, and Christopher Clark as Algernon Moncrief, Jack’s sharp and charismatic friend. Kelly Karcher plays Jack’s love interest Gwendolen Fairfax and Alegra Batara plays Cecily Cardew, a romantic young woman who falls for Algernon. Rounding out the cast is Shaunyce Omar, who makes her Taproot debut as Lady Bracknell, as well as Jonelle Jordan who plays Miss Prism, Nik Doner who plays Reverend Chasuble, and Tim Gouran who plays Lane/Merriman. Understudies include Jeremy Steckler, Sebastian Wang, Marena Kleinpeter, and Candace Vance.

Performance Information:
Run time: Approximately two hours and 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission
Age recommendation: 12+ (children under 5 are not allowed, including babes in arms).

Special Dates:
Previews: Wednesday, September 17 at 7:30 PM and Thursday, September 18 at 7:30 PM
Opening Night: Friday, September 19 at 7:30 PM
Weekend Matinees: Saturday, September 20, 27; October 4, 11, 18 at 2:00 PM
Weekday Matinees: Tuesday, September 23 at 2:00 PM; Tuesday, October 7 at 10:30 AM; Wednesday, October 8 at 2:00 PM
Pay What You Can: Wednesday, September 24 at 7:30 PM
Closed Captioned: Saturday, October 11 at 7:30 PM

Extension Dates:
Tuesday, October 21 at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, October 22 at 7:30 PM
Thursday, October 23 at 7:30 PM
Friday, October 24 at 7:30 PM
Friday, October 25 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 25 at 7:30 PM

Ticket Information:
Online at taproottheatre.org/earnest
By phone at 206.781.9707
By email at box@taprootheatre.org
In-person at 204 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103

Price: $25–62, dependent on performance date and time; fees may apply.
Discounts available for students, seniors, military, 25 & under, and TeenTix members.

For a full list of performance dates and more information, please visit taproottheatre.org/earnest.

Taproot Theatre Company is a professional, non‐profit theatre company with a multi‐faceted production program. Founded in 1976, Taproot Theatre serves the Pacific Northwest with Jewell Mainstage, Isaac Studio Theatre, touring productions, as well as Acting Studio camps, classes, and programs for youth and adults. Taproot Theatre Company is a member of Theatre Communications Group, Theatre Puget Sound, and the Phinney Neighborhood Association.

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