BANGOR – His first home was a handbag, explains Jack. Or is it Ernest?

Theatergoers will find out when they attend Penobscot Theatre Company’s production of the popular Oscar Wilde comedy, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” beginning Wednesday at the Bangor Opera House.

The Irish-born Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde was a classical scholar, an editor, a lecturer and a poet, and, of course, a playwright. The 100th anniversary of Wilde’s death was in November, but Mark Torres believes his work is timeless.

“There is a universality to the comedy. Everybody can relate,” explained Torres, the artistic director for the Penobscot Theatre Company.

“This play is a world classic,” he said. “Of all the titles in our 2001 season, it is the most recognizable. It’s a great kickoff to the season, a way to motivate people to think about theater.

“It’s an eccentric and luminous bit of writing, a perfect dead-of-winter bit of fluff,” Torres said, adding that Oscar Wilde supposedly had stayed at the Bangor House.

“We were talking about the play in the office, and our marketing director, Judy Hanscom, said it was like ‘Frasier.’ You have these really intelligent, bright people who indulge these sides of their personalities. It’s sort of fun to hang out with these people,” Torres said.

He called the group that will put on the play “a super company, both people from in town and people who are new to our audience.”

“Earnest” will be directed by Matthew Arbour, with set design by Ken Goldstein of New York City and lighting by Lynne Chase of Connecticut.

The Victorian costumes, which Torres described as “over the top,” were created by resident costume designer Ginger Phelps.

Cast members include Shaun Dowd as the Rev. Chasuble; Julie Arnold Lisnet, Miss Prism; Ted Kennedy, Lane; Aaron Roth, Merriman; Sharon Zolper, Lady Bracknell.

Doug Meswarb, last seen in “A Christmas Carol,” is Jack. New York actress Joan Jubett, often seen at Theatre at Monmouth, will play her first PTC role as Gwendolen. Boston actor Craig Houk will play Algernon, and SarahRose Roth is Cecily.

Director Arbour said he was delighted to work with the actors and designers. “We couldn’t have a better troupe for Penobscot Theatre’s season opener.”

Torres promises a theater season that will appeal to everyone.

Between the PTC and Maine Shakespeare Festival, the company will offer Hare’s “Skylight” in late March, Howe’s “Coastal Disturbances in May, Shakespeare’s “King Lear” and “Twelfth Night”

and Goldoni’s “The Servant of Two Masters” in July and August, Saint-Exupery’s “The Little Prince” in July, Ludlam’s “The Mystery of Irma Vep” in September, Margulies’ “Collected Stories” in November, and, of course, Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” during the holidays.

“We especially want more students to experience live theater, and have established a new student subscription rate of $40, hoping they will come to see all five of our regular season’s plays,” Torres said.

Previews for “The Importance of Being Earnest” are scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 28-March 1. The play will be presented at 8 p.m. March 2, 9 and 10; 5 p.m. March 3; 2 p.m. March 4 and 11; and 7 p.m. March 8. Torres will hold a forum on the show after the March 4 performance. A special matinee for school groups is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 9; reservations required, 947-6618. Tickets are $10-12 for previews, $17-24 for regular performances. Discounts available for some shows for students, teachers, seniors and military personnel. Tickets: 942-3333. The Web site is www.PenobscotTheatre.com.