NYC Elite are Flocking to New Jersey

Well you will be. Come "Bunburying" with us in the 'country' on Friday June 3rd; and you don't even need to assume a false identity! (If you've never Bunburied, you'll find out what it is on June 3rd at about 8:10PM!!)

New Yorkers, this is your easiest and cheapest way to see Ground UP's "The Importance of Being Earnest" at the charming Summit Playhouse (our new 2nd Stage) in Summit, NJ. For just $35 you'll get lift to and from Manhattan, the show tickets and a drink at intermission. Lady Bracknell, says this is "The Thing." Click the secure Paypal button below to reserve your spot today. Seats are going fast and are limited.

The critics are already buzzing about "Earnest" giving raves in The Independent and The Examiner.

Of course the show runs through June 5th and is easily accessible by NJ Transit Trains if you would rather come another date. For more information about the "Earnest" as well as tickets to NY Night or Any Night visit Ground UP's website.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

The Subtext of DESIRE

Todays's blog post comes from Christine Mottram & Jerry Sipp, who play Miss Prism & Rev. Chausable, respectively. Their characters frequently speak in double entendres, metaphorically, or otherwise cryptically, unable to express their true feelings to each other while in the company of others. Here is their interpretation of a few of their exchanges.

Miss Prism: “Dr. Chasuble. This is indeed a pleasure.” = “Get out of here, kid. Mama wants to be alone with the rector.”

Dr. Chasuble: “Miss Prism, you are, I trust, well?” = “Miss Prism, you are the most ravishing creature in the whole parish!”

Miss Prism: “Cecily, I didn’t mention anything about a headache.” = “Why are you still here? You’re messing up my game.”

Dr. Chasuble: “Were I fortunate enough to be Miss Prism’s pupil, I would hang up on her lips….”= “I wish to kiss you…and kiss you…and kissyoukissyoukissyoukissyou…!”

Miss Prism: “We do not expect him ‘til Monday afternoon.” = “ You and I could run away together and no one would know!”

Dr. Chasuble: “My metaphor was drawn from bees.” = “My metaphor was drawn from the birds and the bees.”

Miss Prism: “I think, dear Doctor, I will have a walk with you. I find I have a headache after all and a walk might do it good.” = “Once we get away from this brat, ravish me!!”

Dr. Chasuble: “With pleasure, Miss Prism, with pleasure!” = “With PLEASURE, Miss Prism, with PLEASURE!”

'Twas the night before EARNEST By John Worthing, J.P. and Algernon Moncrieff

Starting today, we will have a new post each day leading up to opening night, each one written by a different cast member (or members)! Today we are kicking off this exciting countdown to opening night with an entry by Josh Evans & Mark Thornton, who play Jack Worthing & Algernon Moncrieff, respectively. Enjoy!


'Twas the night before EARNEST, produced by Ground UP,

Hosted by Summit. Ya'll know what's up!

Rehearsals are done as we all enter tech,

We hope our director Lon won't bust a vain in his neck.

The cast is ready to hit their cues right on time,

And don't worry Andrew, we won't call "line!"

The costumes are finished, look out for Bracknell's hat,

The sets are amazing, way more than some flat.

Sound design can't be beat, and the lights are the best,

Now I'm off to sleep, because I need my rest.

See you at the Gala Opening, on May 21st,

To hear our British banter, and be immensely immersed.

So buy tickets now, at groundupproductions.org

Just click the link and follow the instructions for more-g.

NYC patrons - Join us out in Summit

Hello everyone,

Wanted to quickly share to our NYC patrons that we want you to enjoy and be a part of this wonderful production. Come out to Jersey with us. We are offering a NYC night where with your ticket purchase, we'll transport you from NYC to the theatre and back. As a added treat, you'll ride back with the cast!!! To reserve, go to

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=Z8ZNRTYDTK3B2

Hope to see you there!!!

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST: DIRECTOR'S CUT

Directing Earnest is filled with one joy after another
and my favorite is I get to see talented actors mine wit
from Oscar Wilde’s sparkling dialogue every single day.
Each rehearsal’s filled with new double entrendres and
ingenious cadences that bring them closer to Wilde’s
hysterically funny core. It reminds me of visiting a place
like the Sistine Chapel and realizing not only are you
witnessing great art, you’re standing where the artist
actually stood. Watching our actors bend time in front
of my eyes (and doing it while I’m laughing my head
off), I’m having the singular pleasure of experiencing
moments just as Wilde experienced them over a century
ago. We’re (in theatre terms) far from opening night
and already I’m way too entertained. I should be
serious, stoic, and commanding respect. After all I am
the director, but it’s hard to do when you’re snickering
like a tickled schoolboy. It’s been ages since I’ve felt so
happy at rehearsals and so disappointed when they end.
It’s making me oddly selfish. I wonder if I can get the
company to agree to delay opening so I can extend my
fun. Nah. That wouldn’t be fair.

… or would it?

-Lon Bumgarner, Director of GUP's current production of The Importance of Being Earnest