Sometimes you desperately need something to bring a laugh or distract you enough to allow you to let go of whatever has been troubling you, even if only for a couple hours. Lakewood Playhouse's production of The Importance of Being Earnest does all of that. Oscar Wilde's 118-year-old script is as smart and fresh now as when it debuted in London. While director Marilyn Bennett had a fantastic play to work with, her direction of the cast and crew of the quick paced, witty script was flawless.

Algernon Moncrieff (Andrew Kittrell) is a dandy who lives for triviality and is not interested in anything so serious as marriage. His friend John Worthing (Bryan K. Bender), while more serious than Algernon, enjoys time apart from his mundane country life. Both men have created imaginary characters they use as excuses to avoid obligations. A main difference between the men is that John is in love and wants to marry. Unfortunately, Algernon's aunt Lady Fairfax (Syra Beth Puett) disapproves of John's attentions toward her daughter Hon. Gwendolyn Fairfax (Deya Ozburn).

As the plot progresses, mistaken (sometimes misled) identities and confusion come into play. Wilde revised and edited and condensed from four acts to three in order to create a tight script and with the climax at the end of the play follows the "well-made play" structure that many farces employ. Watching the actors keep up with the dialogue and the blocking was beautiful. They had as much energy at the conclusion as they did at the beginning.

The cast was perfectly matched to their roles and as an ensemble. Everyone embodied their characters perfectly and their timing, accents, and expression were impeccable. It is impossible to say which (if any) actors were better than the other as they were a true ensemble and worked to bring the script to life. "In matters of importance, style not sincerity is the vital thing." Thankfully, all actors managed both.

The technical elements were also great. Alex Lewington's costumes were fabulous. Sound designer John Burton, lighting designer Alex Smith, and scenic designers Robin Dean, Larry Hagerman, and Hally Phillips add to the Victorian feel of the play. Scene changes were all completed in character by maids and butlers which was delightful to watch.

Lakewood Playhouse is in the process of putting in new seats (they are quite comfortable). Part of the update is changing the theater from a thrust stage to a theater in the round. Having the audience completely encircle the stage presents challenges theaters with other types of stages do not have to worry about. If a director is not skilled in blocking, it would be easy for the actors to play to one section of the audience with the others just seeing the backs or profiles of the actors. Bennett's blocking ensures the actors move enough that each section takes turns seeing profiles, front and back views of the actors.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through July 14, Lakewood Playhouse, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. SW, $18-$24, 253-5880042