November 12, 2020

Skylight Music Theatre Extends Virtual Musical "Being Earnest" Due to Popular Demand

Now Streaming Online Through Dec. 31, 2020

Milwaukee, Wis. (November 12, 2020) — Skylight Music Theatre today announced that its hit online, virtual, full-length musical, Being Earnest by Paul Gordon and Jay Gruska, will be extended for streaming through December 31, 2020.

Being Earnest, based on Oscar Wilde’s satirical comedy of manners, The Importance of Being Earnest, opened on October 16 and has received effusive reviews from patrons and critics. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said Being Earnest is “spectacular!” and Shepherd Express called it “fun and endearing!” Urban Milwaukee said it has “evocative 1960s music!” and Ryan Jay Reviews called it “delightfully entertaining and marvelous!”

A Groovy 1960s Musical Take on Wilde’s Most Popular Play

Being Earnest takes place in a mod, 1960’s, Austin Powers-era setting. All of the brilliant wit in Wilde’s most popular play remains intact in this effervescent musical about two young couples and the societal conventions, over-bearing mothers, and misplaced handbags in railway stations that they must overcome in the course of finding true love. The score is a sparkling homage to 1960’s rock groups such as Herman’s Hermits, The Dave Clark Five, The Rolling Stones, The Seekers, The Hollies, The Lovin’ Spoonful and more.

Being Earnest was rehearsed, performed, and recorded in the seven performers’ separate homes to allow for social distancing, and footage was then edited together like a film. The Milwaukee-area performers in the cast (in order of appearance) are: Algernon (Max Pink), Lane/Chasuble/Merriman (Tim Rebers), Jack (Joey Chelius), Lady Bracknell (Nathan Marinan), Gwendolyn (Stephanie Staszak), Miss Prism (Karen Estrada), and Cecily (Ashley Oveido).

To watch Being Earnest online, patrons purchase a ticket for a specific date through December 31 and have 48 hours from their selected date to view the show online. Tickets are $25, with a suggested donation of $10 per additional viewer to support the theatre. Skylight subscribers can purchase tickets for just $10.

Being Earnest

Book and Lyrics by Paul Gordon
Music by Paul Gordon and Jay Gruska
Based on the play by Oscar Wilde
Directed by Michael Unger
Music Director Conor Keelan
Choreographer Amanda Marquardt 
Edited by Paul Gordon and Michael Unger

Box Office Information

To watch Being Earnest online, patrons purchase a ticket for a specific date through Dec. 31, 2020. Tickets are $25 (solo); 35 (date night), 50 (family) and $75 (family reunion). and available at www.skylightmusictheatre.org/Being. Tickets for subscribers are $10, but must be purchased through the Box Office at (414) 291-7800.

Box Office hours are Mon. – Fri. noon - 5 p.m. For more information, please call the Box Office (414) 291-7800, email tickets@skylightmusictheatre.org or visit www.skylightmusictheatre.org.

Health & Safety Protocols

Following CDC guidelines and in consultation with area doctors, Skylight Music Theatre is implementing strict health and safety protocols. Please read more at www.skylightmusictheatre.org/about/health-and-safety-protocols.

About Skylight Music Theatre

Skylight Music Theatre launches its 61st season in 2020-2021. Skylight’s mission since 1959: To bring the full spectrum of music theatre works to a wide and diverse audience in celebration of the musical and theatrical arts and their reflection of the human condition. Skylight brings fresh approaches or interesting twists to music theatre works, creating meaningful connections, not only between the characters on stage but with the audience as well. Skylight’s home is the beautiful 350-seat Cabot Theatre, modeled after an 18th century French opera house.

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• Being Earnest