Theatre Northwest to present original adaptation Nov. 12-15

An Oscar Wilde classic is getting a modern makeover at Northwest Missouri State University, where two faculty members have adapted a 19th-century comedy for its next theatre production.

Northwest will present Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest,” adapted by Rion Towery, an assistant professor of theatre in Northwest’s School of Fine and Performing Arts, and Stephanie Jorandby, a Northwest associate professor of theatre.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12; Friday, Nov. 13; and Saturday, Nov. 14; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, in the Studio Theater at the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets are $13 and may be purchased online by clicking here or at the box office one hour before each show.

The play follows two bachelors, Jack and Algernon, who assume fake identities to escape the everyday responsibilities of their lives. While Wilde’s original comedy explored the social norms of Victorian society, the adaptation brings those themes to present day, using social media to explore authenticity and identity.

The production is set in Miami and Wellington, Florida, and uses the same characters, themes and humor of Wilde’s original work while adapting them to better connect with a younger audience.

“A comedy of manners is meant to poke fun at society, especially the upper echelon of society that a lot of time us mere mortals like to idolize,” Towery said. “It’s a satirical look at their bad behavior, and I think a goal of both of ours that really fit into that world is a commentary on social media.”

Jorandby said a priority when adapting the story was creating an environment that the production team, performers and audience would enjoy. The play is intended to make the audience laugh while also providing moments of self-reflection.

“It’s difficult to pick out the villain in this story, and that’s intentional,” Jorandby said. “It was important to us to make the characters likeable. One thing that I think is very important to us with this story as a whole is that people are able to have fun. What’s compelling about these characters is the fact that they have the confidence to let loose and have a good time.”

The adaptation process for the play included translating every line in the script into language that younger generations would understand, while keeping Wilde’s intentions intact. Towery said one of the main messages for audiences to take away is to be careful who you idolize.

“We just want people to come and have a blast, come see a show as if you would go into a musical,” Towery said. “There are really profound thematic concerns and messages that we’d like the audience to pluck out and think about deeply but also come and have a really good time. Be entertained by something that is informative.”

Theatre Northwest’s 2026-27 season continues during the spring semester with “A Spring Evening of One-Acts,” Feb. 11-13, and “Cry-Baby: The Musical,” April 1-4.

For more information about Theatre Northwest, call 660.562.1321 or email theatre@nwmissouri.edu.