The Importance of Being Oscar (Feb 14 - Mar 23, 2003)

Performance by Arthur Scappaticci
Directed by Gemma Whelan
Lights and Set by Richard Olmsted
Sound by Greg Scharpen
Stage Management by Florence Lee
Presented by Wilde Irish Productions and Central Works

WINNER OF DEAN GOODMAN AWARD 2003 FOR DIRECTION AND SOLO PERFORMANCE

SFGate.com: "...featuring Arthur Scappaticci, who seamlessly re-creates scenes from Wilde's life with passion and precision. Add "The Importance of Being Oscar" to your list for an evening you won't forget." ePick of the week

West County Times: "This theatrical journey through the life of Irish writer Oscar Wilde ... is powered by the vivid, forceful, and sensitive solo performance of Arthur Scappaticci in the title role. Gemma Whelan ... directs this splendid inaugural production with a steady pace that rises to its moving climax."

Wilde Irish Productions' inaugural venture is the west coast premiere of The Importance of Being Oscar, by Michael macLiammoir. MacLiammoir is one of the seminal figures in Irish theatrical history, co-founder with Hilton Edwards of Dublin's Gate Theatre, consummate actor, artist, scenic designer and writer of plays in Irish and English.

In 1960 macLiammoir wrote The Importance of Being Oscar as a vehicle for himself and toured it successfully all over Ireland, Europe, the U.S., Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The Importance of Being Oscar takes the audience on a theatrical journey through the life of Oscar Wilde as explored through his writings. Oscar Wilde left his native Ireland and traveled to Victorian London in search of "world-wide fame." He quickly established a name for himself, he lectured on art, he was invited to dinner at all the best houses, he fell in love with the beautiful Lily Langtry.

Wilde went on to become famous and infamous — famous for his writings, especially his drama, and infamous for his other work of art — his life. As he said himself: "I have put my genius into my life, my talent only into my writing. My life is a masterpiece. My life is a work of art."

In The Importance of Being Oscar, we trace this journey through the pleasures of life and art to the meaning of sorrow and its beauty.