Colorado Springs, CO – October 21, 2025 – Wit, romance, and mistaken identity collide in The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde’s most effervescent comedy, presented by Theatreworks Colorado Springs November 28 through December 21, 2025, at the Ent Center for the Arts. 

Directed by Kathryn Walsh, this sparkling revival of Wilde’s “trivial comedy for serious people” invites audiences to laugh, question, and celebrate the art of being unapologetically oneself. 

Walsh, a Chicago-based director known for her lively, actor-driven productions (Twelfth Night, Little Women), reimagines Wilde’s world with fresh energy and bold casting. “I don’t want to tell a story of suffering and sacrifice,” Walsh says. “I want to tell a story of thriving—and laughing in the face of tyrannical ridiculousness. The rules of Wilde’s society are absurd, and so are the ones that still try to tell us who belongs and who doesn’t.” 

The production, staged in the round in Theatreworks’ intimate Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theater, surrounds the audience with Wilde’s biting wit and glittering wordplay. “The play is bananas funny and so smart,” Walsh adds. “There are a dozen possible jokes in every line, and the challenge of unlocking them with this incredible cast has been so fun.” 

Returning to the Theatreworks stage is Birgitta DePree (Othello, The Taming of the Shrew) as the formidable Lady Bracknell, joined by Rakeem Lawrence (A Raisin in the Sun, Little Shop of Horrors) as Jack Worthing, August Forman as Algernon Moncrieff, Erika Mori (Arcadia, Silent Sky) as Gwendolen Fairfax, Annie Barbour (Taming of the Shrew, Turn of the Screw) as Cecily Cardew, Lynne Hastings (Steel Magnolias, Flyin’ West) as Miss Prism, and David Corder as Rev. Chasuble/Lane. 

The creative team includes Phoebe H. Boynton (scenic and costume design), Kate Bashore (lighting design), Bryse Boynton (sound design), and Garth Moritz (stage manager). 

A Fresh Take on Wilde’s Enduring Brilliance 
“Wilde used laughter as rebellion,” Walsh notes. “Approaching restrictive ideas with humor is a way of defiance—and that feels deeply relevant right now. This production should feel like you just drank a glass of champagne a little too fast: fizzy, bold, and impossible not to enjoy.” 

Theatreworks’ new Artistic Director, Max Shulman, sees the production as an ideal celebration of the company’s 50th Birthday Season: "Earnest represents everything Theatreworks has stood for over five decades—intelligence, irreverence, and a deep love of live performance. I’m thrilled for our audiences to experience Katy’s approach: sharp, funny, and full of heart.” 

General Director Matt Giles adds, “This play is the perfect invitation to laugh together at the absurdities of social rules and expectations. It’s a joy to welcome audiences to this season’s festive centerpiece, and to continue Theatreworks’ legacy of bringing classic works to life with contemporary energy and inclusivity.” 

Performance & Ticket Information 
Performances run November 28 – December 21, 2025, with shows Thursdays and Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and Sundays at 4:00 p.m. 

All performances take place in the Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theater at the Ent Center for the Arts (5225 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80918). 

UCCS students attend free with valid student ID. Tickets are available at entarts.org or by calling the Box Office at 719-255-8181. 

Join the Conversation 
Audiences are invited to deepen their connection with Wilde’s world through Theatreworks Conversations: 
Opening Night Toast – Fri, Nov 28 at 9:30 p.m. 
Community Convos – Sat, Nov 29 & Dec 6 following the matinee 
World of the Play – Thurs, Dec 4 at 6:15 p.m. 
Actor Talkbacks – Sun, Dec 7 & Dec 14 at 7:00 p.m. 

Press inquiries may be directed to: 
Elyce Gronseth 
Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications, Ent Center for the Arts 
719-255-8365 
egronset@uccs.edu 

About Theatreworks Colorado Springs 
Theatreworks Colorado Springs, based at the Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS, is a professional theatre company committed to producing works that engage, challenge, and inspire audiences. With a robust season of diverse performances, Theatreworks connects the Colorado Springs community through the transformative power of live theatre. 

About the Ent Center for the Arts 
The Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS is a multi-venue arts complex that serves as a cultural hub for Colorado Springs. Home to Theatreworks, the Galleries of Contemporary Art (GOCA), and other artistic programs, the Ent Center fosters creativity and collaboration across disciplines, providing a space for artists and audiences to connect in meaningful ways.