Role: Lord Henry
How did you get started in theatre:
When I was five I begged my mother to let me audition for the production of Alice in Wonderland at the local community theater. She was nervous as I was very shy (still am). My dad took me and to their surprise I was cast as the Doormouse. They got the call as I was in the next room writing my first play (told with pictures). They were even more shocked when they heard me from the next room be more alive than I ever was before. I have lived in Wonderland ever since.
What excites you about The Picture of Dorian Gray:
I love doing a work that has been censored from its inception, written by a man who went to prison for his sexuality. The play uses the dialogue from the novel, woven beautifully by Glory Kadigan who boldly approaches the piece for what it really is about. Her Dorian is not a morality piece, but a piece about repression. It's a play about gay men. The novel was used against Wilde in his trials, and even though he cut and changed and veiled the story, the heart lived on. Even with all its wit and light and air, Dorian is a dark piece. It is a tragic piece. It is a piece about repression. I also like that Dorian is given an opportunity at happiness with a man, Basil, but turns it down as he does not think happiness is his due. He is not a "villain" because he is gay, he is a "villain" because he refuses to show what is in his soul--not that I personally think he is a villain at all. And to play Henry... I have no words. A dream come true.
If you could have 5min with Oscar Wilde you would...
Thank him. I would also probably cry.
Don't miss MTWorks' Artistic Director David Stallings as Lord Henry in MTWorks' THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY. Adapted and directed by Glory Kadigan. Playing March 27th through April 14th, 2013 at the WorkShop Theater in Manhattan. To learn more visit the upcoming page on the site.