In the words of legendary playwright Oscar Wilde: “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.” The Haymarket Theatre is a prime example of the latter. In addition to being old, run down and more than 100 years old, the Haymarket Theatre lacked the proper atmosphere to hold the rapidly expanding performing arts program at Palo Alto High School. As a solution to this problem, Paly constructed a $29 million new Performing Arts Center (PAC). On Nov. 4, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” will be performed at this venue.

Paly’s theater program will host five performances of  The Importance of Being Earnest” premiering on Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Following performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 10, Nov. 11-12. The tickets will cost $15 for adults and $10 for students. The Paly theater program will also hold a Tea and Show Fundraiser matinee performance, hosted by the Paly Theatre Boosters, on Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets for this showing will cost $40 a person.

Tickets are currently on sale at www.palytheatre.com/tickets. Those who buy tickets to the tea will be gifted with VIP seating during the performance, as well as a warm and inviting cup of 100 percent natural English tea.

For those who opt for the normal tickets, cucumber sandwiches, muffins, lemon cakes and other tasty, British-inspired treats will be provided.

“The Importance of Being Earnest” is a great play, but even more exciting is the prospect of watching a show that headlines some of the best actors in Paly history, includes Jackson Kienitz, Jason Pollak, Claire Eberhart, Mia Turbeja and many other Oscar-deserving thespians.

“I think that watching a play is the best way to get to know a new place. The PAC is made for performance, and so the shows that happen there are destined to be remarkable.’’

Nadia Leinhos

Senior

“The most exciting part of this play for me is watching my classmates be able to perform the first play in the PAC,” said Stage Manager Jessica Wu. “Our set and props are fantastic thanks to our set designer Teresa and props master Claire. They’ve really made the large space into a formal 1800s house. Also, it’s my senior year and so I’ve grown close the actors and can’t wait to see them onstage in front of an audience.”

“The Importance of Being Earnest” is a marvelous play, and the star-studded Paly Theatre squadron is sure to have done a bang up job with it, making it well worth taking the time to relax following the completion of college applications, so go out and treat yourself to a spectacular performance!

“If you haven’t been inside the PAC yet, please come see ‘The Importance of Being Earnest,’” said senior thespian Nadia Leinhos. “I think that watching a play is the best way to get to know a new place. The PAC is made for performance, and so the shows that happen there are destined to be remarkable.”