Auditions Announced for 'Earnest or What's in a Name?' at TheatreWorks New Milford

A Musical Adaptation of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Leonard Diamond
Directed by Laura Gilbert
Produced by Jane Farnol

TheatreWorks New Milford is seeking a cast of 6 men (ages 25 to 65) and 4 women (ages 18 to 60) for its upcoming world premiere of EARNEST OR WHAT’S IN A NAME? an original adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ in the style of Gilbert and Sullivan. Book, Lyrics, and Music are by New Milford resident, Leonard Diamond.

This musical adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece is making its world premiere at TheatreWorks this summer. In 1895, the world-famous theatrical team of Gilbert and Sullivan fell apart. The partnership apparently over for good, composer Arthur Sullivan immediately began searching for a new librettist and quickly found Mr. Wilde, who had just completed an extraordinary new play that seemed the ideal piece to set to music…well, you know the name. If Gilbert and Sullivan hadn’t ultimately reconciled, this “what if” scenario of a Wilde-Sullivan collaboration provides audiences with a delightfully charming and frothy musical comedy.

Auditions will be held at TheatreWorks, 5 Brookside Ave., New Milford (next to the CVS) on Monday, May 6 and Tuesday, May 7 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

EARNEST OR WHAT’S IN A NAME? is under the direction of Laura Gilbert of New Milford.

All auditioners should come prepared with 16 bars from a Gilbert and Sullivan-type song. An accompanist will be provided. All auditioners will be asked to try an English accent. Please note that casting age ranges are very flexible. For character breakdowns, directions, and to download audition sides, visit: www.theatreworks.us/actors.

Rehearsals begin May 20, with performances running July 11 through August 3.

TheatreWorks is an award-winning, non-Equity theatre company located on 5 Brookside Avenue, just off Route 202 (next to the CVS), in New Milford, CT.