Boston Court Pasadena Artistic Director Michael
Michetti, also an occasional A Noise Within director, returns to direct Oscar Wilde’s most haunting piece, A Picture of Dorian Gray. It is the story of a young man, Dorian Gray, who sells his soul to maintain his youth and beauty, and in doing so pays a price for his wish. “I’d known Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez Elliott
[A Noise Within producing artistic directors] and had seen many shows at A Noise Within since their early years in the ‘90s,” said Michael Michetti. “The first show I directed for them in the old Glendale space, was As You Like It in 2006. This production ofA Picture of Dorian Gray will be the tenth show I’ve done there.” “One of the things I love about work-
ing so much with them, in addition to collaborating with their fantastic resident artists,”Michetti continued, “is the chance to explore these great works of classic literature, plays that I don’t often have an opportunity to do elsewhere.” He is busy at Boston Court
wrote a really psychologically truthful story about the human condition. It’s about our obsession with youth and our fear of aging. It explores our tendency to pursue pleasure and sensations to anesthetize ourselves from the much deeper feelings of sadness, guilt or fear.” Michetti has also chosen to focus on the homo-
sexuality found in Wilde’s novel, which tends to be downplayed in many adaptations. “Wilde’s novel is super-gay!” Michetti exclaimed. “You’d never know that from watching the classic 1945 movie, where there’s not a hint of any gay subtext. The novel, in book form, makes the gay content abundantly clear. This adaptation is much truer to Wilde’s intent, and his life.” Bringing so many missed aspects
michael michetti
Pasadena, but when the opportunity to direct this piece came upMichetti jumped at the chance. “I am one of two artistic directors for theatre, along with Jessica Kubzansky,” he shared. “We have both been with the Boston Court Pasadena since its inception 15 years ago. The idea behind sharing this job is that it gives us both the freedom to guest direct elsewhere. Of course, there are challenges and always too much work: In the case ofDorian Gray, we’re going to be in tech and previews for a show at Boston Court Pasadena (Everything That Never Happenedby Sarah B. Mantell, directed by Jessica Kubzansky) just as we’re opening this show, so I’ll have to split my time a little. But, the advantages of this arrangement far outweigh the disadvantages.” A fan of Wilde’s play, Michetti chose to focus his
WILDE WROTE A REALLY
PSYCHOLOGI- CALLY
TRUTHFUL
STORY ABOUT THE HUMAN CONDITION. IT’S ABOUT OUR OBSES- SION WITH
YOUTH AND OUR FEAR OF AGING.”
direction on things that most adaptations overlook. “I’ve always loved the story of Dorian Gray, but I think most adaptations of the novel get it wrong,” he admits. “Everyone seems to be focused on the supernatural and horror aspects of the story and those are the least interesting parts of it to me. Wilde
of Wilde’s novel to the forefront was a challenge for Michetti, but luckily it was done years ago at Boston Court Pasadena’s production. “This adapta- tion was first produced there 12 years ago, and it was really successful. I always hoped I’d have the chance to revisit it and I’m thrilled to be doing it at A Noise Within,” he said. “Most of our production team and cast are new, so I’m sure there will be lots of new creative ideas that will inspire us to investigate the story in a fresh new way. The edgier material, gay content and nudity in this production is new territory for A Noise Within. Patrons will appreciate all the wit and intelligence of Wilde’s language, and I’m excited to share it.”
A Picture of Dorian Grayruns from Sunday, September 23 through Friday, November 16 at A Noise Within at 3352 East Foothill Boulevard in Pasadena. For tickets and more information, call 626.356.3100 or go to
anoisewithin.org.
lord henry wotton: frederick stuart
dorian gray: colin bates
basil hallward: amin el gamal
SEPTEMBER 2018 | RAGE monthly
51
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