Stetler, the co-artistic director of Seattle's New Century Theatre and a veteran of The Adding Machine and Bell, Book, and Candle, will appear as John "Jack" Worthing in the comedy, which officially opens Jan. 22, 2009, at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre in Issaquah, WA. Earnest will run through March 1, 2009.

The production will also feature Shawn Law (Seattle Rep's Three Musketeers) as Algernon Moncrieff, Jennifer Lee Taylor as Gwendolen Fairfax, Laura Kenny as Lady Bracknell, Clayton Corzatte as Merriman and Lane, Angela DiMarco as Cecily Cardew and Jayne Muirhead as Miss Prism. Brian Yorkey directs.

Press notes for the comedy of hidden identity state, "Jack wants to marry Gwendolen, but must prove his worthy parentage to Lady Bracknell. Which will be hard to do, as he was abandoned in a handbag at Victoria station. Gwendolen's cousin Algernon loves Cecily, who happens to be Jack's ward. Cecily and Gwendolen, for their part, are both in love with Ernest...whom they have never met. Because he doesn't exist."

The Importance of Being Earnest has scenic design by Bill Forrester, lighting by Tom Sturge and costume design by Karen Ledger.

Following its Issaquah run, Earnest will move to the Everett Performing Arts Center on March 6, 2009, and continue through March 29, 2009. For tickets and further information visit VillageTheatre.