The Hobnob Theatre Company is preparing for a house party at Lady Hunstanton's elegant country home.

“A Woman of No Importance” is a drawing room dramedy about a young American visitor and Hunstanton's quirky friends discussing views on life, love and society.

The Victorian parlor banter and colorful characters are the main stuff of Oscar Wilde's works.

The venue for the production is a bit different from the other shows Hobnob, or any other Butler theater company for that matter, has attempted.

Hobnob is the first theater company to stage a full-length production at the Associated Artists of Butler County Art Center on Main Street, said Elizabeth Smith, co-founder of the theater company.

“The atmosphere of The Art Center lends itself to a unique theatergoing experience, and the material of the play, while funny, will also leave the audiencegoer with a sense of having seen something that isn't pure fluff,” she said.

The play will be performed on a “thrust” stage, which means the audience will surround the stage on three sides.

“The intimacy of the story is very close, literally, to the audience, so it will draw the audience into the story, making them feel as though they are in the same room, listening in on the conversations,” she said.

Smith also is taking on the role of Rachel Arbuthnot, the mother of Gerald. “She holds a tragic secret deep inside, which is revealed in Act 2 of the play. She has to come face to face with it, and finally admit to the one person she loves most in the world, the truth of it,” Smith said.

Smith compared this show to the other Wilde productions, such as “The Importance of Being Earnest” but believes it's a bit deeper.

“It's a funny and serious portrayal of this historical period's societal secrets and lies, real lives and facades,” she said.

Rachel's son Gerald, is portrayed by Kevin Lukacs Jr. of Butler.

“Gerald is a sincere fellow. He's young and just a bit naive. He's really just a good natured man and a gentleman in the most idealistic sense,” Lukacs said.

Lukacs said he loves the wittiness of Wilde and said the show is filled with it.

“Every scene has one of those lines that you want to write down to use later. The end has a really dramatic tone, so it kind of sobers you up, but it's still a happy ending,” said Lukacs.

He believes the show is timeless. “The story is over 100 years old, yet it feels so relevant, and the gender humor still applies, especially when looking at it from a 21st century perspective,” he added.

Gerald in the show is the object of fascination for the young American, played by Sarah McAllister of Butler Township, a senior at Butler High School.

“I play Hester Worsley, an 18-year-old American heiress. She doesn't approve or necessarily care for English society; however, she is rather interested in Gerald Arbuthnot who is himself from England,” said McAllister.

She feels the show should be wildly successful.

“With the current popularity of British television such as 'Downton Abbey' and 'Doctor Who,' the sharp, refined and mildly sarcastic British sense of humor is gaining great popularity. It's unexpected, refreshing, and at most times is downright funny,” she said.

One of the major hurdles for McAllister is the staging. “This is the first time I have performed on a thrust stage setting. It has been quite a challenge, but at the same time an amazing experience.”

She last appeared in the Hobnob's production of “A Christmas Carol.”

The show is under the direction of Ken Smith, co-founder of Hobnob Theatre Company.

“We chose this play because, in addition to the hilarious characters and dialogue, there is a substantial and dramatic storyline that is woven into the comedy,” Ken Smith said.

“Several important and relevant themes emerge, including the emptiness of prestige, the importance of forgiveness, and the transformative nature of love.”

Smith said the choice to perform this play at The Art Center was very deliberate.

“The elegant setting and open space sets the correct mood for the spacious country home of the Hunstanton estate,” he said.

The cast includes Stefan Lingenfelter, Aaron Zimmerman, Lori Barrage, Karen Justi, Stephanie Kobil, Greg Crawford, Megan Flannery, Bob Meals, Mark McConnell, Abby Gumpper, Brianna Herr and Kara Whitmire.

<b>WHO:</b> Hobnob Theatre Company<b>WHAT: </b>“A Woman of No Importance” by Oscar Wilde<b>WHEN: </b>8 p.m. March 28, 29 and 30 and April 4 and 5<b>WHERE: </b>The Art Center, 344 S. Main St.<b>TICKETS: </b>$10<b>INFO: </b>hobnobtheatre.com and May’s Music Shoppe