A Picture of Dorian Gray at A Noise Within

A Picture of Dorian Gray Based on the novella by Oscar Wilde Adapted and Directed by Michael Michetti | September 23 – November 16, 2018

PHOTO: Craig Schwartz | SouthPasadenan.com | (L-R) Colin Bates, Amin El Gamal, and Frederick Stuart in A Picture of Dorian Gray at A Noise Within

A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre presents A Picture of Dorian Gray, based on the novella by Oscar Wilde and adapted and directed by Michael Michetti. A Picture of Dorian Gray performs September 23 – November 16, 2018.

PHOTO: Craig Schwartz | SouthPasadenan.com | Colin Bates and Frederick Stuart in A Picture of Dorian Gray on stage now at A Noise Within

Entranced by the beauty of his own portrait, Dorian Gray sells his soul to preserve his youth and pays a price. This haunting and seductive adaptation lets Wilde’s language and wit sparkle, but strips bare the themes of hedonismand the insatiable pursuit of pleasure.

“As Gray descends into debauchery, those around him are drawn to their own ruin like moths to a flame,” says Geoff Elliott, Co-Producing Artistic Director at ANW. Michetti’s adaptation, first produced at Boston Court Pasadena in 2006, explores the idolization of beauty and youth in an intimate, psychological journey that avoids the Gothic horror approach to the tale and instead follows the consequences of Dorian’s hedonistic lifestyle. “We’re thrilled to have Michetti’s vision come to life at ANW in a fresh, gripping take on Wilde’s story,” says Elliott.

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“What draws me to this tale is its psychological truth,” says Michetti, who adapted the original novella and directs. “This is not the story of a rotting portrait; it is the story of a rotting soul.” In describing the production’s sensual and audacious aesthetic, Michetti says: “This adaptation uses elements of Greek Chorus and narrative dance, and the Victorian setting is filtered through a very modern sensibility, allowing us to tell this familiar story in a way that’s highly theatrical and has a distinctive style and point of view.”

PHOTO: Craig Schwartz | SouthPasadenan.com | (foreground, L-R) Abe Martell, Tania Verafield, and Colin Bates; (background, L-R) Frederick Stuart and Daniel Lench.

In its original 2006 run, A Picture of Dorian Gray received 2 LA Drama Critics Circle Awards and was praised by critics: “beautifully composed” (Los Angeles Times); “stunning theatre… a beautiful thing” (Pasadena Star News); “Michetti has brought Dorian to breathtaking life over 100 years later and Wilde himself would surely be thrilled” (Entertainment Today).

“Wilde’s homosexuality was an integral part of his expression – publicly, privately and in his work. This adaptation restores the homoerotic aspects of the novella which have been conspicuously missing in most adaptations,” says Michetti. “Dorian, while clearly attracted to women, displays his most lasting and intimate relationships with the men who adore him. Indeed, anyone who will worship Dorian seems to be fair game, and those who he leaves in his wake include more men than women.”

“Many are more familiar with the story’s 1945 film adaptation, or the Showtime series ‘Penny Dreadful.’ Both of those take huge liberties with what Wilde wrote. But those who do think they know the story think of it as a Gothic horror story. That’s not entirely true of Wilde’s novella, and definitely not true of this adaptation.”

The cast of A Picture of Dorian Gray includes Colin Bates* as Dorian Gray, Frederick Stuart* as Lord Henry Wotton, Amin El Gamal* as Basil Hallward, Deborah Strang* as Lady Brandon/Lady Narborough/Ensemble, Justin Lawrence Barnes as Adrian Singleton/Ensemble, Daniel Lench* as Lord George Fermor/Thornton/Ensemble, Tania Verafield* as Lady Henry/Gladys/Ensemble, Chelsea Kurtz* as Sibyl Vane/Ensemble, Amy Tolsky* as Mrs. Vane/Prostitute/Ensemble, José Angel Donado as James Vane/Ensemble, Dale Sandlin as “Romeo”/Sir Geoffrey Clouston/Ensemble, and Abe Martell as Alan Campbell/Ensemble.

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage

Scenic design is by Michael Michetti and James Maloof; costume design by Garry Lennon; lighting design by Rose Malone; sound design by Robert Oriol; choreography by John Pennington; assistant director is Rhonda Kohl; wig/make-up design by Shannon Hutchins; props master is Erin Walley; dialect coach is Tracy Winters; select casting is Victoria Hoffman.

Tickets: www.anoisewithin.org Phone: 626-356-3121. Single Tickets from $25, Student Rush with ID an hour before performance $20. A Noise Within is located at 3352 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107.

Sunday Rush: October 28 at 7 pm and November 11 at 7 pm – all tickets remaining are $25, available online after 12 am day of performance with the code SUNDAYRUSH or at the box office cash or credit after 2 pm day of performance.

Groups (10 or more): Adults from $25 to $50 a ticket, up to 35% off; Students from $18/tickets.

SYMPOSIUMS, CONVERSATIONS, SPECIAL EVENTS

The run of A Picture of Dorian Gray includes a symposium at 6:45 pm on September 26, 2018, October 19, 2018, and November 3, 2018 and a post-show conversation with the cast on October 19, 2018, November 2, 2018, November 11, 2018, and November 16, 2018.

De Profundis

Thursday Oct. 18 at 7 pm at The Redmond Stage at A Noise Within

Directed by Michael Michetti

Join us for our Words Within free reading series in a performance of a letter written by Oscar Wilde during his imprisonment for “gross indecency.”

Community Conversation: ONE Archives

Friday Oct. 19 at 6:45 pm in The Lawrence Rehearsal Room at A Noise Within

 Written by the openly gay Oscar Wilde in the repressive Victorian era, Dorian Gray’s history is one of censorship and persecution. Hear speaker Erik Adamian of USC’s ONE LGBT Archives discuss the dominant viewpoints in which Dorian Gray was written and received, and its ongoing importance in LGBT history. This event is open to all patrons viewing A Picture of Dorian Gray, regardless of date of tickets. No reservation required.

Paint & Sip with Dorian Gray

Saturday Oct. 20 at 5 pm in A Noise Within’s lobby

Join us for a wine and painting event at our space, inspired by A Picture of Dorian Gray. Taught by Art on the Run, tickets will be $25 for all A Picture of Dorian Gray ticket holders or $30 for additional guests.

A Picture of Dorian Gray with ASL Interpretation

Friday Nov. 2 at 8 pm

A Noise Within is pleased to present A Picture of Dorian Gray with American Sign Language interpretation on Friday November 2 during the 8 pm performance. Best view of interpreters will be available in the Center Left seating section. Please direct any questions or reservations to Dean Grosbard at dgrosbard@anoisewithin.org.

Community Conversation: Decay in A Picture of Dorian Gray
Saturday Nov. 3 at 6:45 pm in The Lawrence Rehearsal Room at A Noise Within

Join us for a conversation with Caltech professor Julia Greer exploring the topic of aging in organic materials (like flesh) and inorganic materials (like paint). This scientific analysis of the process of decay will complement the tale of the “ageless” Dorian Gray—a man who would give everything to stop the inevitable course of nature. This event is open to all patrons viewing A Picture of Dorian Gray, regardless of date of tickets. No reservation required.

Performances:

Sunday, Sept 23 at 2 pm

Wednesday, Sept 26 at 7:30 pm (Symposium)

Thursday, Sept 27 at 7:30 pm (Pay What You Can)

Friday, Sept 28 at 8 pm

Saturday, Sept 29 at 8 pm (Opening)

Sunday, Sept 30 at 2 pm

Friday, Oct 19 at 8 pm (Post-Show Conversation)

Saturday, Oct 20 at 2 pm

Saturday, Oct 20 at 8 pm

Sunday, Oct 28 at 2 pm

Sunday, Oct 28 at 7 pm

Friday, Nov 2 at 8 pm (Post-Show Conversation)

Saturday, Nov 3 at 2 pm

Saturday, Nov 3 at 8 pm (Symposium)

Sunday, Nov 11 at 2 pm (Post-Show Conversation)

Sunday, Nov 11 at 7 pm

Thursday, Nov 15 at 7:30 pm

Friday, Nov 16 at 8 pm (Post-Show Conversation)