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Dorian Gray: The New Musical
Oscar
Wilde's novella, "The Picture of Dorian Gray| was successfully translated into a movie. The
transformation of the never-aging Dorian's portrait long stuck in the memory of all who saw it.
Unfortunately the same can't be said for this musical showcase production. While the set
designer, Sal
Perrotta, can be credited for making the most of a stage that is restrictively small for a musical,
the book by Allan Rieser and Don Price (the latter also directed) still hasn't resolved the identity
crisis that has kept this a concept in progress since the 80s. Things might have been
better had they gone for the campyness suggested in some of the early scenes. As it is we have an
unconvincing, uneven Victorian melodrama, marred even further by a hard-working but
undistinguished cast. Chris Weikel is more supercillious than suave, (as George Sanders was),
and
Brian Duguay, while handsome enough to be Dorian Gray, lacks the depth to convey
the passion and evil surrounding him. The music has its tuneful moments but the voices and
lyrics are completely drowned out by the musicianso who are unfortunately positioned at the
front
of the stage. With Oscar Wilde having a fine season on-Broadway-- (An Ideal
Husband-- and a revival of the ever popular (The Importance of Being
Earnest
scheduled at the Irish Arts Theater, it's too bad this idea didn't live up to its promise. Judith
Anderson, 422 W. 42nd St. (866-5680). Closes
10/06/96.
©right 1996, Elyse Sommer, CurtainUp. Information from
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