Lyric delivers play of great ‘Importance’

REVIEW. Laughter abounds at the Lyric Stage, where Spiro Veloudos and company serve Oscar Wilde straight up.

The seasoned director closes out his tenth (and arguably most successful) season as the Lyric’s producing artistic director with an uproarious, unadorned take on “The Importance of
Being Earnest.”

Finding the humor in Wilde’s wry words requires a talented ensemble that understands the importance of playing it straight for the sake of a laugh. In this troupe, Bobbi Steinbach leads the way with a stellar turn as Lady Bracknell. Her dry, earnest delivery of “Where’s that baby?” should make it the slogan on the T-shirts they sell in the lobby.

But Steinbach’s not the only one getting the big laughs in this tale of love, lust and mistaken identities. Lewis D. Wheeler is delightful as Algernon, the snotty aristocrat with a penchant for “bunburying” and a desire to change his name to Ernest once he meets the lovely Cecily (Jessica Grant). Ed Hoopman is equally charming as Jack, the solid, responsible man who is forbidden by Lady Bracknell from marrying her daughter (Hannah Barth) until he finds “some acceptable parents.”

In inimitable Wilde fashion, society’s upper crust is given the once over and it’s the hired help who get to enjoy their quirks and eccentricities. Dafydd Rees is superb as the butler and Bob Jolly shines as both Lane and Doctor Chasuble. Beth Gotha’s Miss Prism is flawless as the old maid with a secret and a secret admirer.

Brynna Bloomfield’s set is perfectly period and Gail Astrid Buckley’s costumes are especially inspired.

Rarely do all the pieces fit together this nicely.

‘The Importance of Being Earnest’
Through June 7
Lyric Stage
140 Clarendon St., Boston
MBTA: Orange line to Back Bay Green line to Copley
$25 to $50, 617-585-5678
www.lyricstage.com