Starving Artists’ Original Production, ‘My Dorian,’ Coming to University Theatre Nov. 7-9
The Starving Artists, an arts production association completely run by Old Dominion students, will present "My Dorian," an original production written and directed by Ricardo Melendez, Nov. 7-9 at the University Theatre.
The organization is presenting the play in collaboration with ODU Out, the Student Government Association and ODU Gay-Cultural Studies, as well as ODU's English Graduate Organization. The production was conceptualized using literature from Oscar Wilde's books "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "De Profundis" to tell the story of his idea of beauty through the characters and stories he created through the years.
The cast includes Connor Norton (Basil Hallward), Mark Stefani (Dorian Gray), Lucia Bonino (Sibyl Vane) and Christopher Moteith (Henry Wotton). The design team includes James Nigh (set designer), Amanda Labonte (sound designer), Elwood Robinson (lighting designer), Amber White (costume designer) and Abigail King (make-up designer).
"My Dorian" takes a common misconception of society - beauty - and twists the image to deliver a blunt picture on the idea by using fictional characters from a story the audience can remain distant from. From the obsession with Dorian's beauty, to the ideal of a romantic relationship with him, to the joy of manipulating this handsome man, it becomes clear that not one character truly loves Dorian Gray, but merely the idea of what they can turn him into. (The show contains partial nudity.)
"ODU Gay-Cultural Studies was founded as a program to teach students the importance of queer themes in literature, history and beyond," said Starving Artists president Connor Norton. "'My Dorian' is a program that not only helps students practice their craft and learn from literature, but also a production that will appeal to artists, students and community members alike. All pull something from the works of Oscar Wilde."
Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. Nov. 7-9. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students.
On opening night, Nov. 7, there will be a special reception for ODU Gay-Cultural Studies beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the University Theatre Production Studio. Tickets to this event are $35. All reception and general-admission tickets may be purchased in advance at www.odustarvingarts.com. To reserve student tickets for roll call, email starvingartists@odu.edu.