The Helper Arts Festival presents
The Importance of
Being Earnest
A witty comedy by Oscar Wilde
Act One
Step Into Oscar Wilde’s Most Beloved Comedy
Prepare for an unforgettable evening of laughter, romance, and razor-sharp wit as The Importance of Being Earnest comes to life during the Helper Arts Festival. Oscar Wilde’s timeless masterpiece delights audiences with mistaken identities, outrageous Victorian manners, unforgettable characters, and some of the cleverest dialogue ever written for the stage.
Whether you’re discovering this classic for the first time or returning to an old favorite, you’ll enjoy a fast-paced social satire filled with charming romantic entanglements, elegant Victorian settings, and hilarious twists that remain just as entertaining today as when the play premiered over a century ago. Widely regarded as one of the greatest comedies ever written, Earnest turns the art of the pun and the perfectly timed insult into a night of pure delight.
Performed in the historic Rio Theatre in the heart of Helper, Utah, this production is the perfect way to experience live theater during one of the region’s most celebrated arts festivals. Gather your friends and family for an evening of exceptional performances, timeless humor, and storytelling that never goes out of style.
Act Two
Why You’ll Love It
Brilliant Comedy
Laugh-out-loud wit and unforgettable characters from start to finish.
Romantic Entanglements
Love becomes delightfully complicated in the most Wildean way.
Oscar Wilde’s Masterpiece
A timeless classic still entertaining audiences over a century later.
Perfect Festival Night
An unforgettable evening at the historic Rio Theatre.
The Company
Cast
Jack Worthing
Bodee Wigington
Gwendolyn Fairfax
Belinda Thayn
Lady Bracknell
Kayla Card
Algernon Moncrieff
Than Woodward
Cecily Cardew
Sarah Bullock
Miss Prism
Cassidy Knighton
Lane / Merriman
Amelia Thayn
Rev. Chasuble
Stew Greer
Footman
Drew Greer
Tech & Stage Crew
Assistant Director
Abigail Bedont
Lead
Morgan Lund
Crew
Cecy Riley
Crew
Reeanna Belle
The Venue
Where the Curtain Rises
Rio Theatre
Helper, Utah · Helper Arts Festival
Tucked into historic downtown Helper, the Rio Theatre has hosted generations of performances beneath its landmark marquee. Taking your seat here during the Helper Arts Festival means experiencing live theater the way it was meant to be felt — up close, unplugged, and alive with the energy of a small town that loves the arts.
About Helper Arts Festival
The Helper Arts Festival is an annual arts celebration held in the heart of historic downtown Helper, Utah. Each year, the festival transforms the town’s streets and storefronts into a showcase of visual arts, live music, and theater, drawing visitors eager to soak in the creativity and character of the community.
More than a series of performances, the festival is a celebration of local culture — a chance for artists, musicians, and performers to share their craft in a setting where history and creativity meet. It’s a family-friendly destination event that welcomes newcomers and longtime residents alike to slow down and experience art in an intimate, unforgettable way.
Visit helperartsfestival.comAbout Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde was an Irish playwright, novelist, and poet renowned as one of the sharpest wits of his era. Celebrated for his epigrams and gift for satire, Wilde built a body of work that skewered the manners and hypocrisies of Victorian society while remaining irresistibly entertaining.
His literary importance and lasting influence endure well beyond his lifetime, with his plays — Earnest chief among them — still filling theaters around the world. Wilde’s genius for turning a phrase continues to shape comedic writing to this day.
Intermission
Did You Know?
The play premiered in 1895 to immediate acclaim.
It was Oscar Wilde’s final completed play.
It’s widely considered one of the greatest English comedies ever written.
The play is frequently performed by theaters around the world.
It’s famous for its witty one-liners — quoted and requoted for over a century.
Join Us This August
Join us this August at the historic Rio Theatre in Helper for an evening of laughter, romance, and timeless comedy.