Canadian-born actress Linda Thorson (Tara King in the British television show "The Avengers") heads the cast as Lady Bracknell with 2007 University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program graduate John Skelley as Algernon Moncrieff and 2005 Juilliard graduate Nick Mennell as Jack Worthing.

The company also features Heidi Armbruster as Gwendolen Fairfax, Erin Krakow as Cecily Cardew, Richard S. Iglewski as Rev. Canon Frederick Chasuble, Suzanne Warmanen as Miss Laetitia Prism and Kris L. Nelson as Lane/Merriman.

Artistic director Joe Dowling helms the comedy, which runs through Nov. 8 on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. Opening night is Sept. 17.

The Importance of Being Earnest, according to the Guthrie, "revolves around carefree bachelors Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who each create an imaginary identity in an attempt to win the hearts of the women they love."

The creative team also includes Walt Spangler (set designer), Matthew J. LeFebvre (costume designer), Allen Lee Hughes (lighting designer), Scott W. Edwards (sound designer), Adam Warnick (music consultant), Elisa Carlson (voice and dialect coach), Marcela Lorca (movement), Michael Lupu (dramaturgy), Russell W. Johnson (production stage manager), Michele Harms (assistant stage manager), Justin Hossle (assistant stage manager) and Dionne LaViolette (assistant director).

The Guthrie is located at 818 South 2nd Street (at Chicago Avenue), in downtown Minneapolis. To purchase tickets call (612) 377-2224 or visit www.guthrietheater.org.