Overview

Synopsis

Ernest in Love is the musical version of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. Two aristocratic young men use fake names to escape social obligations, which eventually lands them in hot water. Jack claims to have an irresponsible brother named Ernest, who is making trouble in London. This allows him to repeatedly slip away from his palatial country estate (and from his ward Cecily). Posing as Ernest, Jack courts the lovely Gwendolyn. Jack confesses his charade to his chum Algy, who in turn admits that he uses an imaginary sick friend called Mr. Bunbury to get out of dining with his aunt, Lady Bracknell, who happens to be Gwendolyn's mother. Of course, mischief ensues and one gets mistaken for another, but after the fun and confusion, there is indeed a happy and earnest ending. This musical, just as the play and novel, operates as a comedy of manners. It was first produced on May 4th, 1960 and went on to have 103 performances.

Show Information

Book
Anne Croswell
Music
Lee Pockriss
Lyrics
Anne Croswell
Conceived By
Oscar Wilde
Based on the Play/Book/Film
The Importance of Being Earnest
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1959
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Period
Time & Place
Victorian Era. London.
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Small
Dancing
Some Dance
Licensor
Music Theatre International
Ideal For
Community Theatre, High School, College/University, Ensemble Cast, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Algy Moncrieff

Lead

Male

Tenor

Jack Worthing

Lead

Male

Tenor

Gwendolen Fairfax

Lead

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano

Cecily Cardew

Lead

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano

Lane

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Lady Bracknell/Aunt Augusta

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Miss Prism

Supporting

Female

Alto

Dr. Chausable

Supporting

Male

Bass, Baritone

Perkins

Featured

Male

Baritone

Alice

Featured

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano

Aunt Augusta

Female

Mary Farquar

Female

Songs

Act One

  • Come Raise Your Cup - Lane, Perkins, tradesmen
  • How Do You Find the Words? - Jack
  • The Hat - Gwendolyn, Alice
  • Mr. Bunbury - Algernon, Jack
  • Perfection - Jack, Gwendolyn
  • A Handbag is Not a Proper Mother - Lady Bracknell, Jack
  • Mr. Bunbury (Reprise) - Algernon
  • A Wicked Man - Cecily
  • Metaphorically Speaking - Miss Prism, Dr. Chasuble
  • A Wicked Man (Reprise)

Act Two

  • You Can't Make Love - Lane, Effie
  • Lost - Algernon, Cecily
  • My Very First Impression - Gwendolyn, Cecily
  • The Muffin Song - Jack, Algernon
  • Eternal Devotion - Gwendolyn, Cecily
  • A Handbag is Not a Proper Mother (Reprise)
  • The Muffin Song (Reprise) - Jack, Algernon, Gwendolyn, Cecily
  • Ernest In Love - Company

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    Adaptation

    A version of a work modified from another medium or language, making it suitable for a new performance context.

    Comedy of Manners

    A satirical form of comedy that critiques the manners and affectations of a social class, often with witty dialogue.

    Golden Age

    A period of artistic flourishing, often referring to 1940s-60s Broadway or English Renaissance theatre. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.

    Golden Age Musical

    Broadway musicals from the 1940s–60s, known for integrating plot and song, such as *Oklahoma!* and *The Sound of Music*.

    Mistaken Identity

    A common plot device in which one character is confused for another, often leading to comedic or dramatic consequences. This trope is widely used in English Renaissance and Commedia dell’arte theatre.

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Guide Written By:

Alex Morrison

Alex Morrison

Professional actor from the Metro-Detroit area