SHELTON — The Importance of Being Earnest will open at Center Stage Theatre in Shelton on October 4. Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm through October 19, with 2 pm matinees on Sundays, October 6, 13 and 20. There will also be a 7 pm performance on Thursday, October 17.

The Oscar Wilde classic, which is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest comedies in the English language, was first produced in London in 1895. The plot revolves around Algernon and Jack, a pair of English dandies whose fiancées have both agreed to marry them under the false belief that their first name is Ernest, which the women feel is “a name that inspires absolute confidence.” What follows is a relentless series of complications, misunderstandings and revelations.

The Center Stage production will star Judith Dann, Leah Salomoni, Jan Dadonna, Humphrey Bryson, and Casey Blohm of Shelton; Brett Boles and Kristy Szerkola of Newtown; Tom Zimmerman of Bridgeport; and Marc Improta of New York City.

The production is being directed by Scott R. Brill of Shelton, who has directed throughout the state and appeared in Center Stage productions of Big River and The Man Who Came to Dinner.

“The Importance of Being Earnest is a true masterpiece chock full of wonderful characters, sparkling dialogue, gloriously improbable plot twists and a sprinkling of romance,” said Center State Artistic Director Gary Scarpa. “Our guest director, Scott Brill, and our wonderfully talented cast are sure to deliver a performance that will delight our audiences.”

Center Stage is at 54 Grove Street in Shelton.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students, and can be purchased online at centerstageshelton.com or by calling 203-225-6079.