Going Wilde for comedy

The Sacramento Theatre Company kicks off their “Return to the Classics” season with a smart and satisfying start, turning out a well-cast, funny production of Oscar Wilde’s Victorian-era comedy involving wit, wealth, deception and boredom (plus some obligatory romance). The Importance of Being Earnest has good chemistry as leads Jason Kuykendall (Jack) and Theo Black (his buddy, Algernon) fall for petite Katherine Miller (Gwendolen) and tall Lyndsy Kail (Cecily). They must overcome interference from imperious Lucinda Hitchcock Cone (Lady Bracknell) and Georgann Wallace (Miss Prism, a governess). The production is steady on its feet, well-paced and nimble with the language; time flies by quickly under the direction of Matt K. Miller. And Wilde’s numerous one-liners about marriage and society still ring true and draw laughs, even after 100-plus years.

The Importance of Being Earnest, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday; 12:30 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $15-$38. Sacramento Theatre Company, 1419 H Street; (916) 443-6722; www.sactheatre.org. Through October 31.