The Importance of Being Earnest

Oscar Wilde’s signature piece is both romantic and funny in this somewhat uneven production by Big Idea Theatre. Local native Ron Brokenbrough (Jack Worthing) and Stockton transplant Justin Chapman (Algernon Moncreiff) carry the weight of the show admirably as a pair of less-than-thoroughly earnest suitors, and when the two of them are able to play off each other, the production does well. Unfortunately, the pacing of the show suffers when other characters join Jack and Algie in the rambunctious mix.
Big Idea Theatre, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays; $15. 1616 Del Paso Boulevard; (916) 960-3036; www.bigideatheatre.com. Through August 30.