‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ rehearsals underway; show opens Sept. 15 at Rio Grande Theatre

Blank Conversations Theatre Company (BCTC) of Las Cruces is opening its 2022-23 season with a dive into the classics, with “The Importance of Being Earnest,” by Oscar Wilde.

Directed by Christopher Lininger, the production will run Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 15-18, at Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Main St. downtown.

The play follows two bachelors, John “Jack” Worthing and Algernon “Algy” Moncrieff, who create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives. They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest. The men struggle to keep up with their own stories and become tangled in a tale of deception, disguise and misadventure.

Wilde (1854-1900), who was born in Ireland and lived in London, grew famous and infamous for his ridicule of Victorian sensibilities in this hilarious comedy of manners.

The cast features Chad Gonzalez (Jack), Riley Merritt (Algy), Ashley Dahl (Gwendolyn), Alyssa Gose (Cecily), Karina Diven (Lady Bracknell), JoAnna Hubbard (Miss Prism), Eva Cullen (Rev. Chasuble) and Steven Cousler (Lane and Merriman).

The show’s creative team is comprised of Roxi Garcia (stage manager), Anjelica Martinez (costume designer), Gus David Sanchez (set designer), John Schwendinger (sound designer) and Mattie Ruminer (lighting designer).

“With a show like ‘Importance’ happening now, especially in our community, it’s a return to classic comedy we’re all in need of right now,” said Sanchez, the president and co-founder of BCTC.

Tickets are $15, with a student ticket available at the door for $10. They can be purchased at the theatre box office or at www.riograndetheatre.org. Concessions will be available during the show.

Visit www.blankconversations.org.