Act 1 DeSales University Theatres delightful production of "The Importance of Being Earnest" crackles with wit and humor on the Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts in Center Valley through March 5.The actors pitch-perfect performances elevate Oscar Wildes 1895 comedy which sizzles with crisp wordplay and outrageous situations. Wildes satire of Victorian conventions relies on his rapid-fire dialogue, and the performers in this production delivers those words with precision and obvious glee. The comic timing is impeccable.
Upper class friends Jack Worthing and Algernon discover that each other leads a double life in which they have manufactured fake characters for their convenience. 
When Jack falls for Gwendolyn, she thinks he is his imaginary brother Ernest, and is particularly enamored with the made-up name. However, Gwendolyns mother the looming Lady Bracknell refuses to allow their engagement since Jack is an orphan, found in a travel bag.
Meanwhile Algernon sneaks to the country to see Jacks ward Cecily where he also masquerades as Jacks imaginary brother Ernest.
Christian Tuffy is hilarious as John Worthing who tries so very hard to be serious. His demeanor slowly unravels as he tries to kill off his "brother," clad ridiculously in mourning garb and stovepipe hat.
Tuffy displays his prowess at physical comedy with trembling legs and expressive face.
As Algernon, Johnny Drumgoole is effortlessly raffish, as he dramatically moves around the room, and humorously devours all the cucumber sandwiches and muffins in sight.
Alaina Hurleys Gwendolyn is saucy and clever as she tries to manipulate her surroundings to get what she wants.
As Cecily, Alison Ansorg is appealingly eager and energetic, letting out delighted squeaks when she is pleased with the way something is going.
The women, who think they are both engaged to the same person, fight and then become best friends when they feel they have been wronged by the men.
Moriah Faith Wilt commands the stage as the imperious Lady Bracknell with withering sneers and suspicious eyes. Her sweeping exit elicited spontaneous laughter.
Brielle Lewandowski is prim, although histrionic as Miss Prism, whose final act confession enables all to end well.
Giovanni Marini has some funny moments as Rev. Chasuble, the chaste pastor who seems to have more than a professional interested in Miss Prism.
Ryan Plunket and Kevin Regan as house servants offer droll comments on the ridiculousness of the upper-class.
Director Steven Dennis kept the action to a brisk pace and the evening seemed to fly by.
Will Neuert set of the sitting room in Algernons flat in London was sumptuously ostentatious, whyle the garden of Worthings manor house was attractive and welcoming.
Philadelphia clothier Leigh Paradise created lovely costumes of the period.
There are talk backs with the cast after the performances at 2 p.m. Feb. 26 and 9:45 a.m. Feb. 27.
The March 4 performance will feature open captioning for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing and audio descriptions for patrons who are blind or visually impaired. Tickets are half price for patrons using these special services. Call 610-282-3654, ext. 1, for more information.
The production is recommended for ages 10 and up.
Performances are 8 p.m. Feb. 23-25, March 2-4; 2 p.m. Feb. 26, March 5 and 9:45 a.m. Feb. 27. A 24-hour stream of the play will be offered on Saturday, March 4. Tickets for the stream are $15.
Tickets are $23 for adults and $21 for students and seniors Tuesday through Thursday and $27 for adults and $25 for students and seniors Friday through Sunday.
For information, call 610-282-3192 or go to www.desales.edu/news-events/act-1-productions.