The Importance of Being Earnest
by Oscar Wilde
Directed by: Shelly O'Malley

Friday & Saturday May 15th & 16th @ 8pm
Sunday May 17th @ 2pm

JACK Worthing, who lives in the country, pretends to have a younger brother, Ernest, whose escapades frequently call Jack to London. Algernon Moncrieff pretends to have an invalid friend, "Bunbury," whose attacks call Algernon into the country whenever there is a distasteful social function in prospect. This activity Algernon refers to as "Bunburying."

Jack has managed to hide from Algernon the location of his country place and the existence of an attractive ward, Cecily Cardew. In Algernon's bachelor flat at the tea hour, Jack confesses he has come to town to propose to Algernon's cousin, Gwendolyn, who knows him as "Ernest." Algernon refuses his help unless Jack explains the inscription on his cigarette case which Algernon has found. Thus Cecily's existence is revealed, but Jack stubbornly refuses to reveal her whereabouts.

Gwendolyn accepts Jack, confessing she has always felt that a man named "Ernest" was her fate. During a subsequent catechism by Gwendolyn's mother, Lady Bracknell, Jack gives his country address which Algernon takes down with the intention of going "Bunburying" during Jack's absence from home. When Lady Bracknell learns that Jack's identity dates from the discovery of a baby in a large black handbag in Victoria station she refuses to consent for the marriage.

Cecily, alone in the country with her governess, Miss Prism, is agreeably surprised at the appearance of Algernon in the guise of the much-discussed "Ernest." The young couple lose no time in becoming engaged for, Cecily admits, the name "Ernest" has always fascinated her. When Jack returns unexpectedly to announce "Ernest's" sudden death in Paris, he is disagreeably surprised to learn that "Ernest" is at the very moment in the house.

While Jack and Algernon are separately arranging with the rector for a rechristening, Gwendolyn arrives. The discovery of Gwendolyn and Cecily that they both seem to be engaged to "Ernest Worthing" results in a strained situation. The appearance of both young men clarifies the matter of engagements, but also reveals that neither is named "Ernest." When the girls learn that their fiancés had been about to be rechristened for their sakes, they forgive the deception.

With the arrival of Lady Bracknell the question of consent again comes up. Lady Bracknell is quite willing that Algernon shall marry Cecily and her fortune. Jack, however, as Cecily's guardian, refuses his consent unless Lady Bracknell permits his marriage to Gwendolyn. The appearance of Miss Prism who is recognized by Lady Bracknell, results in the identification of Jack Worthing as Algernon's lost elder brother, Ernest, thus settling matters to everyone's satisfaction.

The Importance of Being Earnest was originally produced at the St. James Theater, London, on February 14, 1895.

Action Arts offers three different methods for patrons to make ticket reservations for our shows: on-line, phone or face-to-face at the box office. Instructions for each method appear below.

Full ticket prices at the door.
For discounted ticket prices order in advance on-line.

General Admission: $15
Student/Senior (55+): $10
Cheltenham Art Center Members: $10
Action Arts ActionPass Holders : Free
Special discounted pricing available for groups of 10 or more.

All on-line tickets : $9 + nominal ticketing vendor fee

To buy your discounted tickets on-line with a credit card using our secure server, simply click on the Buy button on any show page and follow the instructions.

Be sure to print out your confirmation and present it to our box office representative when you arrive.

(888)715-5589

To reserve your tickets via phone, at full door prices, please call our toll-free recorded hot-line and leave a message with the following information:

1. Your name
2. Number of tickets
3. Date of performance

You may pay for and pick up your tickets beginning 30 minutes before the performance.

Only cash payment can be accepted at our box office.

NOTE: We will not call you back to confirm your reservation. Only if there is a problem with your reservation will you receive a call back.

You can also purchase tickets just prior to a performance. Our box office opens 30 minutes prior to the show.

Only cash payment can be accepted at our box office.

Finding the Cheltenham Art Center can be tricky, so to help we've provided the following directions.

On the evening of performances, call us at (215) 379 4660 and we'll be happy to help with directions.

From Route 1/Roosevelt Blvd:
West on Cottman Ave. (Rt. 73) to Central Ave. (at Burholme Park). Left on Central Ave. At second traffic light turn right onto Ashbourne Road. Center is 1/4 mile on right.

From I-95
West on Cottman Ave. (Rt. 73) to Central Ave. (at Burholme Park). Left on Central Ave. At second traffic light turn right onto Ashbourne Road. Center is 1/4 mile on right.

From South on Rt. 611:
East on Cheltenham Ave. to Front St. Left on Front St. At traffic light, Front St. turns into Ashbourne Rd. Stay on Ashbourne Rd. Center is a short distance on the left across from Barachah Church.

From East on Cheltenham Avenue:
to Tookany Creek Parkway. Left on Tookany Creek. At second traffic light turn left onto Ashbourne Road. Center is 1/4 mile on right.

From Northern Suburbs by Rt. 611:
East on Route 73 to Central Ave. (at Burholme Park). Right on Central Ave. At second traffic light turn right onto Ashbourne Rd. Center is 1/4 mile on right.

By bus, the #70 SEPTA bus stops immediately outside the Cheltenham Art Center.

You can find our stop on Ashbourne Road between the stop marked “Oak Lane Rd & Cheltenham Ave” and the stop marked “Cottman and Oxford Ave”. 

You can catch the #70 at the Fern Rock transportation center, which has easy access to the Broad Street subway line. 

Click here to see the Weekday schedule.

Click here to see the Saturday schedule.

By regional rail, the R8 Fox Chase line goes to Cheltenham Station (Zone 2) at Old Soldiers Road & Hasbrook Avenue. 

The theater is a 7-minute walk from the Cheltenham Train Station. From the station, walk out to Old Soldiers Road and turn right, downhill to the first light at the corner of Old Soldiers Road and Ashbourne Road.  Turn left onto Ashbourne Road and the theater will be on the right-hand side approximately 4/10 mile.

Click here to see the weekday schedule. .

Click here to see the Saturday schedule.

Quaker City Cab
(215) 728-8000

Northeast Yellow Cab Service
(215) 331-4660