F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre

The Importance of Being Earnest

By Oscar Wilde

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  • Date
    May 14 - June 1
  • Venue
    F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre
  • Doors Open
    30 minutes prior to the performance
  • Availability
    On Sale Now

Event Details

Earlier Evening Performances

This season, we have moved curtain time for all evening performances to 7:30 p.m. Our matinee performances remain at 2:00 p.m.

The same high-quality productions, only a little closer to dinner time! We look forward to seeing you this season.

Special Events

We are delighted to offer special events during the run of The Importance of Being Earnest! If you're interested in attending a performance with a special event, read on to learn about our offerings.
 

Symposium Series #1: Tuesday, May 20th following performance

A lively post-show chat with cast members of The Importance of Being Earnest

Storefront to Stage: Wednesday, May 21st starting at 6:30 p.m.

A chance to meet and support local businesses before the show and at intermission

Know-the-Show Series: Thursday, May 22nd starting at 6:45 p.m.

A pre-show talk with director Brian B. Crowe

Hobnob & Hang: Friday, May 23rd following performance

A chance to mix and mingle after the show; snacks and cash bar available

Symposium Series #2: Saturday, May 24th following matinee performance

A lively post-show chat with cast members of The Importance of Being Earnest

A Wilde Garden Party: Wednesday, May 28th starting at 6:30 p.m.

A pre-show Wilde-themed gathering on the patio; fancy dress welcomed

Sensory Seminar: Thursday, May 29th starting at 6:30 p.m.

A pre-show experience for Blind/low-vision patrons to interact with costumes, props, and set pieces

Symposium Series #3: Saturday, May 31st following matinee performance

A lively post-show chat with cast members of The Importance of Being Earnest

May 2025

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Our very own Lady Bracknell is a crowd favorite! 🐝 The Importance of Being Earnest runs until June 1st. Get your tickets while you can! Link in bio. 📸: @abrunkus 👗: @austinblakeconlee #oscarwilde #theatre #ladybracknell #newjersey #stnj
Join Tug Rice (Jack Worthing) for his IG Takeover on Friday, May 23rd! Hear about the joys of performing Oscar Wilde from the actor and acclaimed illustrator himself. 🐝 Comment any questions for Tug below! #earnest #oscarwilde #theatre #comedy #newjersey
"[See] it before it closes...and bring your friends and family!" - NJ Arts Maven Come see why everyone is raving about The Importance of Being Earnest at The Shakespeare Theatre! 🐝 🎟 at link in bio #oscarwilde #shakespeare #theatre #comedy #newjersey #stnj
From the Archives: Alice Saltzman (Co-Head of Acting at The Stella Adler Studio) & Paul Mullins (Director at STNJ, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, The Old Globe) in our 1992 production of The Importance of Being Earnest. A longtime favorite at The Shakespeare Theatre, Paul returns to direct It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play this December! 🎭 #shakespeare #theatre #earnest #oscarwilde #newjersey #stnj
The Importance of Being...Scrumptious 🐝 What is your favorite kind of muffin? The cast of The Importance of Being Earnest take this question very, VERY seriously. The Importance of Being Earnest runs May 14th to June 1st. See you there! 🎟 at link in bio! #earnest #oscarwilde #shakespeare #theatre #muffin #newjersey #stnj
Happy Mother's Day to all the "Mums", as Oscar Wilde would say it! Treat her to a stunningly hysterical classic at our stunningly unique Theatre - at a stunningly discounted price! 🎟 at link in bio! Use promo code at checkout. #mothersday #mothersdaygift #theatre #discount #newjersey #oscarwilde
Join Joyce Meimei Zheng (Cecily Cardew) for her IG Takeover on Wednesday, May 14th! Get an exclusive look behind-the-scenes during the first Preview of The Importance of Being Earnest at YOUR Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. 🐝 Comment any questions for Joyce below! #earnest #oscarwilde #theatre #comedy #newjersey
The Importance of Being...Playful 🐝 What is your favorite scene in the show? The cast of The Importance of Being Earnest comment on these "wildly kooky" and "colorful" characters that they play! The Importance of Being Earnest runs May 14th to June 1st. Get those tickets soon! 🎟 at link in bio! #earnest #oscarwilde #shakespeare #theatre #newjersey #stnj
The Importance of Being...Timeless 🐝 Why do we keep coming back to Wilde and his witty words? Why does his work appeal to so many? The cast of The Importance of Being Earnest answer these questions with aplomb! The Importance of Being Earnest runs May 14th - June 1st. It's one of the most beloved comedies ever written, rife with muffins, corsets, and biting social commentary! Bring a friend, and then bring one more! 🎟 at link in bio! #earnest #oscarwilde #theatre #newjersey #stnj
🚨The Future of the Arts Needs You! The National Endowment for the Arts is facing devastating cuts - cancelled grants and a 50% staff reduction that threatens our nation’s creative infrastructure. This isn’t just about funding. It’s about: ✨Creative expression ✨Local economies ✨The stories that shape us Take Action Now: ☑Contact your representatives ☑Share your arts story ☑Bring a friend to a show ☑Donate to your local regional theatres 🔗Link in bio for resources + actionable steps Your voice matters. The arts are essential, not optional. #ProtectTheNEA #ArtsAdvocacy #FundTheArts #SaveTheArts
Give Mom the gift of giggles this season! 🤣 Now until May 12th, you can get 10% off of ANY performance of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest - hailed "the funniest play ever written"! Only use promo code "MOM10" at checkout. Don't miss this opportunity to make Mom smile! 🎟 at link in bio #mothersday #promocode #theatre #oscarwilde #comedy
Two great classics that go great together: SHAKESPEARE and STAR WARS! Ian Doescher's whimsical reimaginings of the Star Wars galaxy in Shakespearean verse are a terrific gift for the sci-fi AND Shakespeare fans in your universe! Pick up one (or any of the other terrific books, puzzles, apparel, and goodies) from the Kirby Theatre Gift Shoppe the next time you're seeing a show. Next up: Oscar Wilde's hysterically witty THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST: May 14-June 1, 2025 See you soon! ShakespeareNJ.org / 973-408-5600
"Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow." - William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet Congratulations to the Shakespeare LIVE! touring company on a fantastic season of performances! We can't wait to see where you go next. Dream big! 💜🎭 #shakespeare #touring #theatre #sweetsorrow
CONGRATULATIONS to past company members of The Shakespeare Theatre who received Tony nominations this season! We are truly thrilled to watch you excel at your craft. 🎭 Fiona Robberson (A CHRISTMAS CAROL, A MIDWINTER NIGHT'S DREAM, TITUS ADRONICUS) Alex Breaux (TARTUFFE) Alexis Nalbandian (A CHRISTMAS CAROL) Denise Cardarelli (THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED] [AGAIN]) Amanda Bertie Michaels (TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, I CAPTURE THE CASTLE, THE SCHOOL FOR WIVES) Pictured: Fiona Robberson as Helena/Holly in A Midwinter Night's Dream, 2023. Photo by Avery Brunkus. #tonys #theatre #shakespeare #newjersey
ALMOST SOLD OUT! ✨🎭 Learn how our shows come to life by taking our Thomas H. Kean Theatre Factory Tour this Saturday, May 3rd! Experience our interactive museum of costumes, set pieces, and props from past productions! 🎟 at link in bio. #theatre #tour #setdesign #costumedesign #newjersey #stnj
PROMO PHOTOS LOADING... Thank you @reevesreedarboretum for letting us promenade through your lovely gardens this morning! It was a perfect day for a "wilde" photo shoot. 🐝 #earnest #gardens #oscarwilde #newjersey #reevesreedarboretum
🎉SURPRISE!🎉 Get 23% off four tickets per Main Stage production TODAY ONLY! Use promo code BARD423 at checkout. Don't miss these big savings! Tickets at ShakespeareNJ.org #shakespeare #birthdayfun #discounts #theatre
We are announcing something BIG tomorrow in honor of Billy's birthday! We'll see you then! 🥳 #shakespeare #birthdayfun #surprise #theatre

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