The Importance of Being Earnest (in 30 minutes) A Trivial Comedy for Serious People adapted by Jason Pizzarello

(13)
Productions (117)
Comedy
|
30 - 40 minutes
3 W, 2 M, 2 Any (7 actors possible: 3-5 W, 2-4 M)
Set: A garden.

In this one-act adaptation of Oscar Wilde's beloved romantic comedy, the stakes are even higher and the deadlines even tighter for poor Jack Worthing, whose alter ego "Ernest" comes back to haunt him in the form of his rakish friend Algernon Montcrieff, who adopts the false identity to woo Jack's ward Cecily. But Jack-as-Ernest has just proposed to Algernon's cousin Gwendolen, to the great disapproval of her mother, the rigid Lady Bracknell. When the two ladies -- both engaged to Ernest Worthing -- meet up, chaos ensues. All the wit of Wilde in less than half the time.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $55
Standard Edition $11.99
eScript Digital Edition $17.5
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $75

*The per performance fee begins at $55. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.

eScript Digital editions when purchased as a retail item cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer, or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.). It can viewed on up to 5 individual devices. When an escript is purchased as part of a license, please email playscriptsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com to receive your printable PDF.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

In this one-act adaptation of Oscar Wilde's beloved romantic comedy, the stakes are even higher and the deadlines even tighter for poor Jack Worthing, whose alter ego "Ernest" comes back to haunt him in the form of his rakish friend Algernon Montcrieff, who adopts the false identity to woo Jack's ward Cecily. But Jack-as-Ernest has just proposed to Algernon's cousin Gwendolen, to the great disapproval of her mother, the rigid Lady Bracknell. When the two ladies -- both engaged to Ernest Worthing -- meet up, chaos ensues. All the wit of Wilde in less than half the time.

  • Comedy
  • |
  • 30 - 40 minutes
  • 3 W, 2 M, 2 Any (7 actors possible: 3-5 W, 2-4 M)
  • Set: A garden.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-375-5

Production History

MAY 30, 2025 - MAY 30, 2025
Westmont High School Theatre Arts Department
Campbell, CA United States
Westmont High School Theatre Arts DepartmentCampbell, CA United States
MAY 16, 2025 - MAY 17, 2025
Jefferson High School
Bloomington, MN United States
Jefferson High SchoolBloomington, MN United States
APR 26, 2025 - APR 27, 2025
Kellogg Community College
Battle Creek, MI United States
Kellogg Community CollegeBattle Creek, MI United States
APR 24, 2025 - APR 25, 2025
El Dorado High School
El Dorado, AR United States
El Dorado High SchoolEl Dorado, AR United States
APR 23, 2025 - APR 23, 2025
Independence High School
Thompsons Station, TN United States
Independence High SchoolThompsons Station, TN United States
APR 23, 2025 - APR 23, 2025
Kirksville High School
Kirksville, MO United States
Kirksville High SchoolKirksville, MO United States
APR 16, 2025 - APR 16, 2025
Highland High School
Medina, OH United States
Highland High SchoolMedina, OH United States
APR 11, 2025 - APR 13, 2025
N/A
Russellville, AR United States
N/ARussellville, AR United States
MAR 20, 2025 - MAR 23, 2025
Glenwood High School
Chatham, IL United States
Glenwood High SchoolChatham, IL United States
MAR 13, 2025 - APR 18, 2025
Apple Springs ISD
Carthage, TX United States
Apple Springs ISDCarthage, TX United States
1 of 12
MAY 30, 2025 - MAY 30, 2025
Westmont High School Theatre Arts Department
Campbell, CA United States
Westmont High School Theatre Arts DepartmentCampbell, CA United States
MAY 16, 2025 - MAY 17, 2025
Jefferson High School
Bloomington, MN United States
Jefferson High SchoolBloomington, MN United States
APR 26, 2025 - APR 27, 2025
Kellogg Community College
Battle Creek, MI United States
Kellogg Community CollegeBattle Creek, MI United States
APR 24, 2025 - APR 25, 2025
El Dorado High School
El Dorado, AR United States
El Dorado High SchoolEl Dorado, AR United States
APR 23, 2025 - APR 23, 2025
Independence High School
Thompsons Station, TN United States
Independence High SchoolThompsons Station, TN United States
APR 23, 2025 - APR 23, 2025
Kirksville High School
Kirksville, MO United States
Kirksville High SchoolKirksville, MO United States
APR 16, 2025 - APR 16, 2025
Highland High School
Medina, OH United States
Highland High SchoolMedina, OH United States
APR 11, 2025 - APR 13, 2025
N/A
Russellville, AR United States
N/ARussellville, AR United States
No professional productions.

Archival Video License

Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License to add to your order for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

For more information, please reach out to playscriptsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com

eScript Details

eScript Digital Editions cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.) It can viewed on up to 5 individual devices.

You do not need to download any additional program to view your eScript. They will become available in your account on Playscripts.com after payment has been made. For more information on eScripts, please visit our Help page.