A modern-day story that Oscar Wilde would have recognized too well

Two events occurring at the Guthrie Theater might seem to have little connection: our current production of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" and a reading of "The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later." But the connection is profound. The death of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyo., in 1998 is a brutal reminder that the bigotry, hatred and prejudice that brought Wilde down still exist in our world.

When we look at these two seemingly disparate theatrical events, the same question about the author of one and the subject of the other is urgently raised: "What if?"

What if, in fact, Victorian society had fully accepted the individuality of Oscar Wilde and embraced and nurtured it, rather than destroying the man simply because of who he loved? The tragedy of Wilde's life ironically began to unfold on the opening night of "The Importance of Being Earnest" -- a night of great artistic triumph for Wilde, but one on which the Marquess of Queensbury made his first move to destroy Wilde because of his relationship with his son Lord Alfred Douglas. What resulted was a humiliating public trial, a jail sentence, exile, poverty and an early death for this great writer.

The Guthrie's production of "The Importance of Being Earnest" celebrates a great play -- one of the most perfect comedies ever written -- and reminds us of a great writer whose life and career were cut short immediately after the premiere of his masterpiece.

During the course of this play's run, we'll be participating in an event that will connect us with theaters around the world -- a reading of Tectonic Theater Project's "The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later," about the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard. The reading of this new play at the Guthrie on Oct. 12 will take place simultaneously with readings by hundreds of other companies and will be followed by a live talkback via satellite, featuring a panel at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall that will include creators, cast members and other key individuals involved in the play.

As witty and delightful as Oscar Wilde's work is, one cannot look at it without recognizing that he was destroyed by bigotry and hatred, and those issues that destroyed a literary genius still exist in our society. Matthew Shepard was beaten and left to die tied to a fence on the outskirts of Laramie. He was beaten to death because of who he was -- his killers motivated by the same bigotry and hatred that motivated the relentless Marquess of Queensbury. As a very young man, Matthew never got the chance to properly explore his God-given talents and make his own mark upon the world.

What if Oscar Wilde had not been persecuted to his death? What if Matthew Shepard had not been murdered?

The main reason for doing "The Importance of Being Earnest" is that it's a great play, but we must continually remind ourselves of what happened to Oscar Wilde. And it's entirely appropriate, as we remind ourselves of that and wonder what more this great genius might have accomplished, that we also remind ourselves of what happened to Matthew Shepard just 10 years ago and continue to ask, "What if?"

Joe Dowling is director of the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.

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