The Importance of Being Ernest: 2011 Broadway revival

The Roundabout Theatre Company will present a revival of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Ernest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford as "Lady Bracknell."

The production will play a limited engagement at the American Airlines Theatre in the winter of 2011. Additional cast members and the creative team will be announced shortly.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival produced a production of The Importance of Being Ernest in 2009 directed by and starring Brian Bedford, which received rave reviews. Charles Isherwood of the New York Times wrote that Bedford's performance as 'Lady Bracknell' is, "Impeccably stylish as it is thoroughly sincere. As such, it is very funny."

The Importance of Being Ernest: Dashing men-about-town John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff pursue fair ladies Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. Matters are complicated by the imaginary characters invented by both men to cover their on-the-sly activities - not to mention the disapproval of Gwendolen's mother, the formidable Lady Bracknell.

Brian Bedford returns to the Roundabout Theatre Company after memorable performances as 'Orgon' in 'Tartuffe,' 'Sir Harcourt Courtly' in 'London Assurance' and 'Sganarelle' in 'The Molière Comedies.' He received Tony nominations for all three performances.