John "Jack" Worthing, a carefree young gentleman, has created a fictitious brother, “Ernest,” whose wicked ways afford John an excuse to leave his country home from time to time and journey to London, where he visits and dines with his close friend and confidant, Algernon Moncrieff. Algernon has uncovered that "Jack" has been living a double life. During his London visits, he has decided to be known by the name Ernest, Algernon also finds out that Jack has a ward, by the name of Cecily Cardew, who lives in the house in the country, along with her governess Miss Prism, and who believes that "jack" has a wicked brother by the name of Earnest.

Algernon has a cousin, Gwendolen Fairfax, with whom John is deeply in love. John during his London visits, has won Gwendolen’s love, for she has always desired to marry someone with the understated but inspiring name of Ernest. When he asks for Gwendolen’s hand from her mother, the formidable Lady Bracknell, John finds he must reveal he is a orphan who, as a baby, was left in a handbag at Victoria Station. This is very disturbing to Lady Bracknell, who insists that he produce at least one parent before she consents to the marriage.

Returning to his country home, John finds that Algernon has found out the location and arrived under the identity of the nonexistent brother Ernest.  Algernon falls madly in love with the beautiful Cecily, who has long been enamored of the mysterious yet fascinating "brother" Ernest. when John discovers this, he will not allow the marriage.  Gwendolen arrives to meet her fiancé Earnest, Cecily informs her that she is engaged to Earnest and they quarrel. Both women are unaware that neither of their fiancées are named Earnest.  The men arrive and decide to tell the truth which cause the women to become fast friends and turn against both men.

With the arrival of Lady Bracknell, chaos erupts. It is discovered that Miss Prism is the absent-minded nurse who years earlier misplaced the baby of Lady Bracknell’s sister in Victoria Station. Both couples plead their case to Lady Bracknell and Algernon is given permission to marry Cecily and John, who has discovered his true identity, finds out that his name is indeed Ernest, is Algernon’s elder brother.  Lady Bracknell gives her consent to the union of Jack and Gwendolen and the play ends with the two couples in a joyous embrace.

SAS Performing Arts Company, Inc. introduces the brilliant talents of emerging artists, together with active professionals, in a wide-ranging repertoire.  SAS Mainstage and virtual theater focuses its efforts to promote classic and contemporary plays, American musical theater works, and classical Music, by bringing them to audiences that might not have the opportunity to attend and enjoy live theater, thus enriching the community's cultural life. Our virtual theater makes these intricate art form more accessible to our audience. We hope the exhilarating connection generated between the music, text, and drama becomes more immediate in an intimate, up-close
environment. We are a home for performances of acknowledged masterpieces as well as the rarely performed works that deserve a more extensive hearing.