Official opening will be Dec. 20 at Irish Rep's home at 132 W. 22nd Street.

Ernest in Love, according to Irish Rep notes, is "a sparkling and witty musical about social hypocrisy among the crème de la crème of Victorian England, is a faithful adaptation of Wilde's superb comic masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest — featuring all of its much-beloved characters. … The clever, tuneful score is the perfect complement to Wilde's incomparable wordplay and sharp witticisms."

The creative team will include set designer James Morgan; costume designer Linda Fisher; lighting designer Brian Nason; and musical director Mark Hartman.

Collaborators Pockriss and Croswell also penned the score the Broadway's Tovarich, another cult favorite known primarily today for its cast album, featuring original star Vivien Leigh.

Director Moore staged Irish Repertory's acclaimed revival of Finian's Rainbow during the company's 2004-05 season, and most recently directed Take Me Along, a musical adaptation of O'Neill's Ah, Wilderness!, winning a 2008 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical.

IRT's new acclaimed production of The Emperor Jones plays to Dec. 6. There is talk of a move to another venue beyond IRT.

Ernest in Love will run to Jan. 31, 2010. Tickets are $65 and $55, and are available by calling (212) 727-2737. For more information visit www.irishrep.org.