The Colonial Players' current offering of "Ernest in Love" is a 1960 musical adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Ernest" — and the production closely adheres to Wilde's masterful work.
The musical "Ernest," with book and lyrics by Anne Crosswell and music by Lee Pockriss, reflects Wilde's sharp satiric wit. This small, bright chamber musical is ideal for Colonial Players' intimate in-the-round theater space.
The story tells of two upper-class gentlemen, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff. In their romantic pursuit of two affluent young ladies, Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew, the men work to reinvent themselves.
The young gentlemen have cultivated the skill of eluding debts accumulated at various establishments — a custom that provides a lively opening number. "Come Raise Your Cup" is a satiric veneration of the upper class delivered by a chorus of vendors concerned about collecting what is owed them, while valets shop for their employers, dismissing the vendors' complaints.
This witty number sets the tone for an entertaining evening, drawing audiences into Wilde's world of Victorian aristocrats interested only in pursuing pleasure and romance while intent on avoiding responsibility.
Bringing this off smartly requires sharp direction, expertly supplied here by Rick Wade. Wade is directing his 25th production at Colonial Players, and with it he achieves a goal he set 40 years ago, when he first suggested bringing this musical to the troupe.
At Wade's side as music director is Roger Compton, who first worked with Wade in this role 34 years ago, and has since often joined him to produce musicals at Colonial Players, Annapolis Summer Garden and elsewhere.
Another long-term Colonial Players contributor is Edd Miller, who serves as set designer. In his design, boxes serve a multitude of purposes — moved and rearranged to become stalls, benches, tables, chairs and lounges. Miller also creates a Victorian outdoor faux mosaic floor, accented with fanciful flowers.
Choreographer Lindsay Zetter debuts at Colonial Players with this production, proving herself to be up to the task of creating a number of charming dances.
Heading the cast, actor Eric Hufford as Jack Worthing adopts several personalities in different locations, initially becoming "Ernest" at his London flat, where he courts Gwendolen Fairfax, who returns his affection despite her formidable mother's objections.
Stressed in the city, Jack/Ernest is eager to escape to country life, where he becomes doting Uncle Jack to his ward, Cecily. Jack is deemed an unsuitable suitor by Cecily's mother — a fate recounted in the amusing "A Handbag is Not a Proper Mother," a duet between Jack and his disapproving potential mother-in-law, Lady Bracknell.
As Algernon, Steven Baird relishes taunting Jack, accusing him of duplicity after discovering a cigarette case inscribed "To Uncle Jack from little Cecily."
Baird delivers a comic high note with "The Muffin Song," a duet with Jack expressing his right to have as many of Jack's muffins as he wants; a song reprised later with Cecily and Gwendolen.
Returning to the stage after a long absence, Barbara Bartos makes a memorable Colonial Players debut as Lady Bracknell, imperiously haughty as she zings barbs at Jack, pronouncing him unworthy of Cecily.
As Cecily, Sarah Wade delivers another winning performance that reveals her comedic talents and fabulous, classically trained voice.
Erica Jureckson is lovely as Gwendolen, displaying noteworthy vocal and comedic skills. Her duets with Jack and with Cecily are standouts, especially the amusing "My Very First Impression," a duet with Wade that moves within a few bars from initial mutual admiration to outright feud.
Dianne Hood graces the Colonial Players' stage in her 22nd show to deliver another outstanding performance as Cicely's governess, Miss Prism, who ultimately helps solve the mystery of Jack's parentage. Her husband, Duncan Hood, proves to be a major scene stealer throughout the production as Dr. Chasuble.
The entire ensemble of players, including Nick Beschen, Greg Jones, Greg Anderson, Doug Dillner, Heather Tuckfield, Rob Glass, Natalie Nankervis and Sherri Millan, contribute to this production's excellence.
"Ernest in Love" continues weekends through May 16 at Colonial Players, 108 East St., Annapolis. For tickets, call the box office at 410-268-7373 or go to thecolonialplayers.org.