Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest' at HPAC

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to attend more performing arts events in 2012, then head over to the Hylton Performing Arts Center on George Mason University's Prince William Campus this weekend. Acclaimed British-American touring troupe Aquila Theatre brings its production of Oscar Wilde's deliciously witty satire, "The Importance of Being Earnest," to the Hylton Center on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 4 p.m.  

First performed in London on Feb. 14, 1895, Wilde's hilarious romp exploring Victorian-era social mores has become one of the most respected and beloved works of modern drama. “The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People” details the escapades of Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, two wealthy young men who are members of Britain’s fashionable upper crust. Bored with their lives in the English countryside, they invent new personas as the fictitious Ernest and Bunbury to add some thrills to their boring rural lives. Hilarity ensues when their lies are eventually revealed and threaten to ruin their relationships with the women they are pursuing. 

Aquila Theatre was founded in 1991 by its artistic director, Peter Meineck, who sought to create fresh, new interpretations of classical plays for contemporary audiences. Based in New York City since 1999, Aquila Theatre has performed in venues as diverse as Carnegie Hall, the Ancient Stadium at Delphi, the Los Angeles Cathedral Plaza and the White House. The company regularly presents its season at New York University’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts and also tours nationwide to between 50-70 cities each season. Aquila Theatre is the professional company-in-residence at the New York University's Center for Ancient Studies. 

If you can't make it out to the Hylton Center this weekend, there are plenty of exciting performances coming up in February, featuring a little something for everyone: The Tschaikowski St. Petersburg State Orchestra visits Manassas on its inaugural North American tour on Feb. 8, under the baton of Roman Leontiev and with guest pianist Alexandre Pirojenko; Dr. Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys appear on Feb. 11; and folk icon Peter Yarrow brings an interactive children's concert as part of the Hylton Family Series on Feb. 26.

For more information or tickets, please call 888-945-2468 or visit hyltoncenter.org or visit the Hylton Center box office, open Wednesday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Hylton Performing Arts Center is located on George Mason University's Campus at 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, Va. 20110.