Ernest in Love

Ernest in Love
A witty adaptation of Oscar Wilde's sparkling play about social hypocrisy among Victorian England's wealthy elite.



Oscar Wilde's outlandish The Importance of Being Ernest is one of the most clever comedies in the English language and the basis for this beguiling musical version. Featuring a score teaming with frothy melodies and clever lyrics, Ernest in Love is a delightful romp through love and manners.

In nineteenth-century England mischief and mayhem abound when two young gentlemen find themselves in over their heads. Posing as a fictitious brother, "Ernest," Jack successfully escapes his country estate to gallivant around London and court the lovely Gwendolyn. Meanwhile, Jack's friend, Algernon, avoids dining with his aunt, the persnickety Lady Bracknell, by visiting his "very ill" imaginary friend. Hilarity ensues when reality and fantasy collide, causing confusion and threatening the love lives of both Jack and Algernon.

A faithful adaptation of Wilde's comic masterpiece, Ernest in Love features all of its much-beloved characters and most of the same production demands, with the addition of a small band. The clever, tuneful score is the perfect complement to Wilde's incomparable wordplay and immortal witticisms in a delightful reworking of what has been called "the funniest play in the English language."

Concert Selections for Ernest in Love

MTI is pleased to provide the pre-approved rental materials of select songs for your symphonic concert performance. Please note, MTI is unable to grant the necessary Performance Rights with this material rental. The Performance Rights needed must be obtained separately through the individual song’s respective small rights agency such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Please email concerts@mtishows.com with any questions.

  • WONDERFUL COPENHAGEN
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    LOESSER, FRANK
    Lyrics by
    LOESSER, FRNAK
    Orchestrated by
    WALKER, DON
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    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 MALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    D♭
    Estimated duration
    4 min 40 sec
    Instrumentation

    2 Flute 1&2, 1 Oboe, 1 Bb Clarinet 1, 1 Bb Clarinet 2, 1 Bassoon, 2 Bb Trumpet 1&2, 1 Bb Trumpet 3, 1 Horn, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Trombone 2, 1 Trombone 3, 17 Violin 1&2, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Guitar, 3 Percussion 1&2(Lrg.Cymb, Bells, Timpani, Wood Block, Bass snare drum, Metal ring), 1 Electric Synth, 2 Piano Conductor, 25 Chorus Books

  • First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Gene de Paul
    Lyrics by
    Johnny Mercer
    Orchestrated by
    Irwin Kostal
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    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 Voice (Typically Female) and Chorus (Typically Female)
    Starting Key
    D♭
    Estimated duration
    6 min 24 sec
    Instrumentation

    (1x) FULL SCORE; (5x) PIANO/CONDUCTOR SCORE; (10x) VOCAL BOOK; (1x) REED 1: Flute; (1x) REED 2: Oboe; (1x) REED 3: Clarinet; (1x) REED 4: Bassoon; (1x) HORN 1; (1x) HORN 2; (1x) TRUMPET 1; (1x) TRUMPET 2; (1x) TROMBONE; (2x) DRUMS: Drum Set, Timpani, Woodblock; (1x) GUITAR; (1x) KEYBOARD 1; (1x) KEYBOARD 2; (8x) VIOLIN 1; (8x) VIOLIN 3; (7x) VIOLA/VIOLIN 2: Viola; (5x) BASS

  • WORD OF YOUR BODY, THE
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Duncan Sheik
    Lyrics by
    Steven Sater
    Orchestrated by
    Duncan Sheik
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    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Starting Key
    G
    Estimated duration
    2 min 59 sec
    Instrumentation
    (4x) PIANO/CONDUCTOR SCORE, (1x) HARMONIUM, (1x) GUITAR (Electric), (17x) VIOLIN, (7x) VIOLA, (6x) CELLO, (5x) BASS (Acoustic), (1x) DRUMS (Glockenspiel)
  • WORST PIES IN LONDON
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
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    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    A
    Estimated duration
    2 min 25 sec
    Instrumentation

    (1x) Full Score; (2x) Piano/Conductor Score; (2x) Reed 1: Piccolo, Flute; (1x) Reed 2: Oboe; (1x) Reed 3: Flute; (1x) Reed 4: Clarinet; (1x) Reed 5: Bassoon; (1x) Horn; (2x) Trumpets; (1x) Trombone 1; (1x) Trombone 2; (1x) Trombone 3; (3x) Percussion: Xylophone, Drums, Wash Tub with Hard Mallets, Tam-Tam, Timpani, Chimes; (1x) Harp; (1x) Organ; (16x) Violins; (7x) Viola; (6x) Cello; (5x) Bass

  • YA GOT TROUBLE
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    WILLSON, MEREDITH
    Lyrics by
    WILLSON, MEREDITH
    Orchestrated by
    WALKER, DON
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    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 MALE VOICE, CHORUS
    Starting Key
    A♭
    Estimated duration
    6 min 50 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Flute 1, 1 Flute 2, 1 Clarinet 1, 1 Clarinet 2, 1 Clarinet 3, 1 opt Bass Clarinet, 1 Bassoon, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Trombone 2, 1 Trombone 3, 17 Violin, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 3 Percussion, 2 Piano Conductor, 25 Chorus books

  • YA GOT TROUBLE (REPRISE)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    WILLSON, MEREDITH
    Lyrics by
    WILLSON, MEREDITH
    Orchestrated by
    WALKER, DON
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    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 MALE VOICE, CHORUS
    Starting Key
    A♭
    Estimated duration
    1 min 48 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Reed 3, 1 Reed 4, 1 Reed 5, 1 Trumpet 1, 1 Trumpet 2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Trombone 2, 1 Trombone 3, 17 Violin, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 3 Percussion, 2 Piano/Conductor

  • YOU CAN'T STOP THE BEAT
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Marc Shaiman
    Lyrics by
    Marc Shaiman
    Scott Wittman
    Orchestrated by
    Harold Wheeler
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    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Instrumentation

    Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, Drums, Percussion, 2 Guitars, Keyboard 1 (PC), Keyboard 2, Keyboard 3, Violins, Cello, Electric Bass, (20) Chorus Books.

  • YOU COULD DRIVE A PERSON CRAZY
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    3 FEMALE VOICES
    Starting Key
    G
    Estimated duration
    2 min 24 sec
    Instrumentation

    (1x) Full Score; (4x) Piano/Conductor Score; (4x) Reed 1: Flute, Clarinet, Piccolo, Alto Saxophone; (3x) Reed 2: Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Flute; (3x) Reed 3: Clarinet, Flute, Tenor Saxophone; (2x) Reed 4: Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone; (2x) Reed 5: Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone; (2x) Horns; (1x) Trumpet 1; (1x) Trumpet 2; (1x) Trumpet 3; (1x) Trombone 1; (1x) Trombone 2; (3x) Percussion 1 & 2: Drum Kit, Triangle, Timpani, Temple Block, Castanets, Xylophone; (1x) Guitar: Acoustic; (1x) Piano; (16x) Violins; (6x) Cello; (5x) Bass

  • YOU DON'T KNOW
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Tom Kitt
    Lyrics by
    Brian Yorkey
    Orchestrated by
    Michael Starobin
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    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Instrumentation

    2 Piano Conductor Score, 2 Piano Vocal Score, 2 Violin/Synth, 1 Cello, 1 Guitar (Electric), 1 Bass (Electric), 1 Drum Set

  • YOU DON'T KNOW THIS MAN
    From
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
  • YOU MUST MEET MY WIFE
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE, 1 MALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    Dm
    Estimated duration
    4 min 00 sec
    Instrumentation

    (1x) Full Score; (3x) Piano/Conductor Score; (1x) Woodwind 1: Flute; (1x) Woodwind 2: English Horn; (1x) Woodwind 3: Clarinet; (1x) Woodwind 4: Bass Clarinet; (1x) Woodwind 5: Bassoon (optional Clarinet); (2x) Horns 1 & 2; (1x) Horn 3; (1x) Trombone (optional: Use if no Horn 3); (1x) Celesta; (1x) Harp; (17x) Violins; (7x) Viola; (6x) Cello; (5x) Bass

  • YOU WILL BE FOUND
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Benj Pasek
    Justin Paul
    Lyrics by
    Benj Pasek
    Justin Paul
    Orchestrated by
    Alex Lacamoire
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Starting Key
    B
    Estimated duration
    6 min 00 sec
    Instrumentation
    (1x) FULL SCORE, (16x) PIANO/VOCAL SCORE, (2x) KEYBOARD/CONDUCTOR SCORE, (2x) GUITAR 1 (Steel String Acousitc, Electric), (2x) GUITAR 1 - ALT. TUNING (Steel String Acoustic, Electric), (1x) GUITAR 2 (Electric), (2x) BASS (Acoustic, Electric), (1x) DRUMS, (17x) VIOLIN, (7x) VIOLA, (6x) CELLO
  • YOU'RE GONNA LOVE TOMORROW
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    2 FEMALE VOICES, 2 MALE VOICES
    Starting Key
    D
    Estimated duration
    4 min 49 sec
    Instrumentation

    (1x) Full Score; (5x) Piano/Conductor Score; (2x) Reed 1: Flute, Alto Saxophone; (3x) Reed 2: Clarinet, Flute, Alto Saxophone; (3x) Reed 3: Bass Clarinet, Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone; (2x) Reed 4: Oboe, Tenor Saxophone; (2x) Reed 5: Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone; (1x) Horn; (1x) Trumpet 1; (1x) Trumpet 2; (1x) Trumpet 3; (1x) Trombone 1; (1x) Trombone 2; (1x) Trombone 3; (3x) Percussion: Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Drum Set, Woodblock; (1x) Guitar; (1x) Piano; (1x) Harp; (17x) Violins; (7x) Viola; (6x) Cello; (5x) Bass

  • YOU'RE NEVER FULLY DRESSED WITHOUT A SMILE
    From
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Charles Strouse
    Lyrics by
    Martin Charnin
    Orchestrated by
    Philip J. Lang
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    4 Voices (Typically 3 Female, 1 Male) and Chorus
    Starting Key
    A
    Estimated duration
    2 min 50 sec
    Instrumentation

    2 Reed 1, 2 Reed 2, 1 Reed 3, 1 Reed 4, 1 Reed 5, 1 Trumpet 1, 1 Trumpet 2, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Trombone 2, 1 Tuba, 17 Violin, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 3 Percussion, 2 Piano Conductor, 1 Guitar, 1 Banjo, 25 Chorus books

  • YOU'RE TIMELESS TO ME
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $125
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
  • YOU'VE GOT TO PICK A POCKET (F MIN)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
  • YOU'VE GOT TO PICK A POCKET (G MIN)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
  • ZITHER CAROL
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    TRADITIONAL
    Arranged by
    GIBSON, MICHAEL
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    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Arranged for
    1 SOLO VOICE, BOYS CHORUS
    Starting Key
    G
    Estimated duration
    1 min 32 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Percussion, 1 Harpsichord, 25 Chorus books

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