Center Stage celebrates the musical language of Oscar Wilde
For those of you craving a break from my musical ramblings, I thought I should, immodestly, direct you to my review in today's paper of "The Importance of Being Earnest," Center Stage's season-opener.
One of the production's many pleasures is simply the opportunity to revel in the language of Oscar Wilde, as melodious and witty as a Haydn symphony.
Speaking of Wilde and music, there is a musical of his comic masterpiece from 1960 titled "Earnest in Love." Maybe it's ripe for revival here. It was, apparently, a hit in a version produced four years ago in Japan, performed by an all-female cast (don't ask me why). Here's a taste of that staging, "A Handbag is Not a Proper Mother," sung by Lady Bracknell when she discovers that Mr. Worthing was "born or, at any rate, bred in a handbag;" and a duet for Jack and Algernon, during the muffin scene:
Comments
I never thought of it before, but Wilde's work definitely lends itself to music, and I wouldn't mind seeing an American production of that musical.
Thanks for commenting. I must say I'm intrigued about that musical. Part of me thinks it couldn't possibly work -- interrupting the flow of Wilde's words -- but another part suspects it would still be kind of fun. TIM
Posted by: Liz | October 19, 2009 4:03 PM