LOGAN — The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde and directed by Vanessa Ballam is a delightful and classic addition for the summer season of the Lyric Repertory Company. It’s exactly what I expected from a production of The Importance of Being Earnest. The play originally premiered in 1895 and while set in that present, the social commentary, humor, and wit have a timeless relevance. The production’s strengths lie in the performances carrying the dialogue, keeping the production’s pace swift and sharp.

The play relates the mistaken identities, mishaps, lies and social whims and conventions all centered around two men: John “Jack” Worthing (Stefan Espinosa) and Algernon Moncrieff (Colton Iverson). While visiting Algernon in London, Jack explains how he lives a double life having created a fictional, wicked brother named “Ernest Worthing” to escape his obligations in the country, particularly to his ward Cecily Cardew (Mia Gatherum). In town, Jack assumes this persona and is known as “Ernest”. Complications ensue when Jack’s love interest, Gwendolen Fairfax (Marin Taylor Robison) declares she will only marry a man by the name of Ernest. Her mother, Lady Bracknell (Leslie Brott) is opposed to Jack upon investigating his social heritage, presenting additional complications. Algernon, curious about Cecily, endeavors to meet her and impersonates the fictional brother Ernest to do so. If the Victorian Era had a sitcom, this fits the bill.

PERFORMANCES

All around, the cast delivers strong theatrical talent. With a two hour and thirty minute runtime (including one intermission), the production could feel dense. Each performer keeps the energy and spark through lengthy scenes of dialogue so the production feels like a delightful meal. I appreciated the effective direction by Ballam in fully using the stage to create movement and interest.

Marin Taylor Robinson as Gwendolyn (left) and Stefan Espinosa as Jack Worthing (right) in Lyric Repertory Company’s The Importance of Being Earnest playing through July 24th, 2025.

Stefan Espinosa is a delightful performer and balances the aspects of his character, Jack, effectively. Espinosa’s offers a dynamic contrast from Colton Iverson as Algernon. When Espinosa is explaining the nature of Jack’s fictional identity “Ernest”, his efforts to distinguish from Algernon’s own fictional “Bunbury” is quite comical. Espinosa’s sincerity clashes with Algernon’s devil-may-care attitude. The continual thread of Algernon eating any food present onstage provoking Jack’s continued exasperation is another point where both Espinosa and Iverson execute physical humor and verbal wits very well.

Iverson is immediately engaging. Iverson’s portrayal of Algernon is exquisitely fabulous, much like the long deep blue cloak worn by Algernon in the production’s opening scene. The air of distaste for responsibility and obligations drips from each accented phrase Iverson delivers while remaining scandalously endearing. When Algernon meets Cecily, their chemistry onstage is awesome.

The Importance of Being Earnest; Lyric Repertory Company; Logan; Cache County; 2025

Marin Taylor Robinson as Gwendolyn (left) and Mia Gatherum as Cecily(right) in Lyric Repertory Company’s The Importance of Being Earnest

Cecily, played by Mia Gatherum, is like a breath of fresh air when she is introduced in Act Two. Gatherum portrays Cecily with openness and energy, delighting in whimsical imaginings. The unrestrained nature of Cecily’s character is apparent in Gatherum’s performance making Cecily quite the match for Algernon, whom Cecily believes is brother Ernest.

Marin Taylor Robison rounds out the couples as Gwendolen, love interest of Jack. Robison is more restrained, however manages to give Gwendolen a flirtatious vibe. In the Victorian context, her interest feels so forward, but suits the story so well. The whole production really ramps up the energy when Gwendolen and Cecily meet in Act Two. Robison and Gatherum are electric, and their clash (as some mistruthing is revealed) is excellently paced and filled with sensational tension.

As the matriarch of the cast, Lady Bracknell is a presence, and Leslie Brott is a naturally strong performer. It’s very good casting having a performer with such experience and talent play an authority figure, especially where all the characters must defer to Lady Bracknell’s ultimate judgment. Also, Lady Bracknell’s monologues sparkle with wit and humor as Brott gives a nice inflection to the delivery of lines.
The Importance of Being Earnest; Lyric Repertory Company; Logan; Cache County; 2025

Leslie Brott as Lady Bracknell in Lyric Repertory Company’s The Importance of Being Earnest

DESIGN

The set designed by Dennis L. Hassan is a prominent feature as the set only changes at intermission. Act One features Algernon’s living room decorated with artwork, statues and design almost frivolously blending eras and styles. Deep reds and purples accented with gold create a stunning display of extravagance and wealth: perfect for Algernon. The carelessness regarding the coherence of displayed art feels very representative of character and the farce of wealth. It doesn’t matter what art is owned, just that it is expensive.
Act Two shifts to Jack’s Manor House in the country and features a beautiful garden patio. Dominated by white and green, the set conveys a sense of openness. Perfect for scenes where truth is revealed. Sound designer Brent Innes adds a nice ambiance as tweeting  birds are occasionally heard. Both sets are beautiful, functional, and give the stage itself two very distinct identities.
The costumes designed by Phillip R. Lowe also help inform the characters. The costumes all look appropriate and are consistently engaging fitting the setting and stature of the characters. The women’s gowns in particular shed some indication of identity. Lady Bracknell’s gown features great, pointed shoulders, stiff and exaggerated. Both Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen wear gowns of a satin texture, shiny and structured. Cecily and Miss Prism reside in the country and wear lovely flower prints on flowing, soft fabric, which highly contrast.

CONCLUSION

The Importance of Being Earnest is the final stage production in the repertory schedule which includes the other Lyric Rep 2025 Season shows also reviewed by Utah Theatre Bloggers — Bright Star, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, and Home, I’m Darling. The production is a solid rendition of a theatrical classic which should thrill fans of the show. There’s strength in the performances and the design. Of note, the show is devoid of easy spectacle and shiny distractions, requiring some patience as the narrative builds. However, the reveals and resolution prove ultimately triumphant to those who make an earnest effort to enjoy the trivialities of Victorian society.
The Lyric Repertory Company’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest plays various dates in repertory calendar through July 24th, 2025 at the Morgan Theatre on the campus of Utah State University. Tickets are $20-$53. For more information, visit their website: https://www.usu.edu/lyricrep/

These reviews are made possible by a grant from the Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks program.