dorian gray - Milwaukee Ballet

DORI A N GR A Y
AUDIENCE GUIDE
ART FOR
ART'S SAKE
P
erhaps you read this novel years ago, in high school or in college. Maybe
you have seen one of the film adaptations,
but it may very well be new to you. Oscar
Wilde’s novella caused more than a stir
when it was published as a short story in
Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine. A rebellion
against prim and proper Victorian England
was in the works, and Oscar Wilde was one
of its pied pipers – taking his readers down
a path to a new "hedonism" where anything
goes. In this philosophy, life is meant to be
savored, tasted, toyed, and experimented
with and fully, unabashedly explored.
Nothing is off limits.
In his preface Wilde provokes the reader
from the get­go, proclaiming, “Those who
find beautiful meanings in beautiful things
are the cultivated. For these there is hope”,
and “Vice and virtue are to the artist
materials for an art”, and even, “All art is
quite useless.” He also states, “There is no
such thing as a moral or an immoral book.
Books are well written, or badly written.
That is all.” It seems Wilde may have
anticipated he would be judged for his own
art.
MICHAEL PINK THE EXTRAORDINARY
STORYTELLER
hen Michael tells a story – all bets are off. There are twists and turns, and tales come to life in a way never before imagined. He fields questions, “Romeo & Juliet without Shakespeare’s words?” or
“La Bohème without the singing?” and he smiles and nods with a twinkle in his eye. This time, Dorian
Gray will bring yet another surprise. Ballet and the spoken word will swirl and gel on the same
canvas. This is a tale of a painting that takes on a man’s soul, allowing him to stay forever young, while
it drips with ugliness, sin and blood. Michael himself will paint this in a new way, casting an actor, James
Zager, in the role of Lord Henry, to confront us with its gripping themes, still so relevant today.
W
A TALE OF
MORALITY?
nown for his witticisms and dandyism, it is interesting to ponder just how much Oscar
Wilde was saying and writing for the sake of
flamboyance and fun. However, his art, his lifestyle,
and who he chose to love landed him in prison for
two years. His two­year incarceration left him
penniless and broken, and he died shortly after.
Wilde wrote a story that while at first champions
this aesthetic lifestyle, ultimately shows us that it doesn’t bode well for the soul. His muse, Dorian
Gray, does it all – falls in love (with men and women), breaks many hearts, travels, collects art,
spends money, drowns himself in champagne, smokes opium, has friends in both the highest and
lowest of places, and pushes them down their own paths of destruction. He eventually even commits
murder – all in an attempt to live life and experience it as intensely as possible. As in the pages of
the novel, know that you’ll be going on a journey of your own into the new hedonism as you watch
the story unfold – you may be shocked, you may be frightened, you may be titillated. This is right
where Michael Pink, and Oscar Wilde for that matter, want you to be.
K
Milwaukee Ballet | Dorian Gray | February 12-21, 2016
Patrick Howell. Photo: Tom Davenport.
DORI A N GR A Y
A PROLOGUE FROM MICHAEL PINK
Oscar Wilde once said three of the characters in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” were reflections of himself: “Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord
Henry is what the world thinks me: Dorian is what I would like to be – in other ages, perhaps.”
Basil Hallward is the artist whose painting of the title character conceals the truth of his infatuation with Dorian. His compassion and concern for
Dorian lead to his brutal death.
Through Basil, Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton, and is soon enthralled by the aristocrat’s hedonistic worldview; that beauty and sensual
fulfillment are the only things worth pursuing in life. In this adaptation, Lord Henry is portrayed as a servant of the ‘Devil’, heartless, cynical,
immoral. He cares little for Dorian’s life, instead pleased with his deliberate corrupting influence on the innocent young man.
Dorian Gray exists as something of an ideal: He is the archetype of youth and beauty. His wish to sell his soul in exchange for remaining forever
young is granted. Instead, the painting grows old. Dorian pursues a life of amoral experiences while his portrait ages and shows every sin that
has already corrupted his soul.
Dorian falls in love with the beautiful young actress Sybil Vane. Her love for Dorian changes her ability to portray fictional love, as she is now
experiencing real love. She kills herself after Dorian rejects her. The spirit of Sybil remains with Dorian, and his desire to want to change his life
comes too late to save his soul.
The other characters in our story represent the deadly sins of man’s true nature. Read more in the character guide.
SYNOPSIS
ACT ONE
ACT TWO
Lord Henry meets Dorian, the portrait is finished and Dorian’s
wish is granted.
Dorian denies his first true love and Sybil Vane commits suicide.
Lord Henry reveals Basil’s secret. Dorian begins to lose any sense of morality.
15 years later.
Dorian murders Basil and so Lord Henry brings him ‘New Blood’.
The Duchess of Monmouth seduces Dorian.
The vision of Sybil drives Dorian to the opium dens of Whitechapel, London.
James Vane’s accidental death convinces Dorian that he must change.
Lord Henry tries to convince Dorian that he is ‘quite perfect’.
Dorian destroys the picture and releases his soul.
FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS
You may have seen the note about Dorian Gray on our website, “Contains mature themes” and indeed, it
does. If you have the time, Oscar Wilde’s well­known novel is worth reading before the show. If not, you
should at least Google it and skim the Spark Notes. Dorian’s first love, Sybil Vane commits suicide as does
another acquaintance of his, Alan Campbell. Opium dens were in fashion back then as was sexual
experimentation. Young, naïve Dorian Gray is provoked by Lord Henry to feed his senses with anything that
feels good. With a bit of pre­show research, you and your family will enjoy the show much more and feel
prepared to encounter its adult themes.
Milwaukee Ballet | Dorian Gray | February 12-21, 2016
DORI A N GR A Y
CREATIVE TEAM
COMPOSING FOR DANCE
Longtime collaborator and friend of Michael Pink, Philip Feeney, has
composed a new score for this work thanks to the support of Katie
Heil. Not only will Milwaukee Ballet be performing a story ballet in the
Pabst Theater for the first time, but we’ll use live music! Feeney’s
score will be played by a small 10 piece ensemble, performed by the
Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra. Feeney penned the scores to Pink's
most popular ballets including Dracula, Peter Pan, and Mirror Mirror.
THE SPOKEN
WORD
For Feeney, music for dance need to make sense as pure music at
all times. LIGHTING THE WAY
Theater lights set the stage, the mood, and help tell the story. It
transforms the space, taking the dancers and the audience along on
the journey.
Nationally­recognized and Emmy Award winning Lighting Designer
David Grill is responsible for ensuring the lighting design advances the
stories and complements the choreography. Grill has worked closely
with Artistic Director Michael Pink for 15 years, creating everything
from still beauty of Odette's cove in Swan Lake, to the looming dancer
of The Count's lair in Dracula.
You can see Grill's work when he lights the Super Bowl 50 Half Time
Show featuring Cold Play February 7!
SETTING THE SCENE
The scenic designer is charged with informing the audience about the
time and place of the story, while the costume designer helps describe
the personalities of each character.
New York City designer Todd Edward Ivins is back in both roles for
Dorian Gray. Ivins, who most recently designed Mirror Mirror, has been
praised for the sophistication and ingenuity of his designs, and has been
busy making sure that Michael Pink's newest work is a stylish affair.
Milwaukee Ballet | Dorian Gray | February 12-21, 2016
Michael Pink has cast local actor James
Zager as on­stage narrator for this new
ballet. Zager delivers the role of Lord
Henry Wotton, the hedonistic, selfish
aristocrat who corrupts the innocent
Dorian Gray. In explaining the
introduction of an actor into his newest
dance drama, Michael Pink said: "I feel
the corruption of Dorian happens through
the spoken word. The themes of Dorian
Gray are exposed through the
juxtaposition of the spoken word of the
novel's text and unspoken word through
dance and movement."
DORI A N GR A Y
CHARACTER GUIDE
DORIAN GRAY
PATRICK HOWELL
&
TIMOTHY O'DONNEL
The poster child for The New Hedonism
Represents pride (vanity, ego), wrath and lust
Vices: Pleasure, drink, drugs, smoking, fine art, music, jewels, women, men, life!
“If only it were the other way! If it were I who was to always be young, and the picture that was
to grow old! For that – for that – I would give everything! Yes, there is nothing in the whole world
I would not give! I would give my soul for that!” ­Dorian, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Patrick Howell
Performing Feb. 12, 14, & 20
Photo: Timothy O'Donnell
“You’ll always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you never had the courage to
commit.” ­Dorian, The Picture of Dorian Gray
“Eternal youth, infinite passion, pleasures subtle and secret, wild joys and wilder sins – he was
to have all these things. The portrait was to bear the burden of his shame: that was all.”
­Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Timothy O'Donnell
Performing Feb. 13, 19, & 21
Photo: Rachel Malehorn
BASIL HALLWARD
DAVIT HOVHANNISYAN
&
ALEXANDRE FERREIRA
Painter of the infamous portrait
A kind and gentle soul
His crime: Loving Dorian.
“An artist should create beautiful things but should put nothing of his own life into them.”
­Basil, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Davit Hovhannisyan
Performing Feb. 12, 14, & 20
Photo: Timothy O'Donnell
“He is all my art to me now.”
­Basil, The Picture of Dorian Gray
LORD HENRY WOTTON
JAMES ZAGER
Smooth talker, the carousel master, witty with brilliant intellect,
known for his “wrong, fascinating, poisonous, delightful theories.”
His sin: He created Dorian Gray almost as much as Basil did when he painted him.
His crime: He doesn’t realize the power of his words.
The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.” ­Lord Henry, The Picture of Dorian Gray.
“Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul.”
­Lord Henry, The Picture of Dorian Gray
“Sin is the only real colour­element left in modern life.” ­Lord Henry, The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Milwaukee Ballet | Dorian Gray | February 12-21, 2016
Alexandre Ferreira
Performing Feb. 13, 19, & 21
Photo: Timothy O'Donnell
DORI A N GR A Y
CHARACTER GUIDE
SYBIL VANE
LUZ SAN MIGUEL
&
NICOLE TEAGUE
An actress, doomed from the start, Dorian's first love (first victim?)
“She was free in her prison of passion.” ­Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
“When is she Sibyl Vane?” Lord Henry
“Never.” Dorian
“I congratulate you.” ­Lord Henry, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Luz San Miguel
Performing Feb. 12, 14, & 20
"The painted scenes were my world. I knew nothing but shadows and thought them real.”
­Sibyl, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Nicole Teague
Performing Feb. 13, 19, & 21
“The girl never really lived and so she never really died.”
­Lord Henry, The Picture of Dorian Gray
JAMES VANE
ISAAC SHARRATT
&
GARRETT GLASSMAN
Sibyl’s brother, a sailor, forever devoted to his sister.
"…for as sure as there is a God in heaven, if he ever does you any wrong. I shall kill him.” ­
James, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Isaac Sharratt
Performing Feb. 12, 14, & 20
“There was jealousy in the lad’s heart, and a fierce, murderous hatred of the stranger who,
as it seemed to him, had come between them. Yet, when her arms were flung round his
neck, and her fingers strayed through his hair, he softened, and kissed her with real
affection. There were tears in his eyes when he went downstairs.”
­Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
MRS VANE
JANEL MEINDERSEE
Sibyl and James’ mother, a bit of a stagemom with a flair for the dramatic
Constantly playing to the imaginary gallery in her mind.
"I am only happy, Sibyl, when I see you act.”
­Mrs. Vane, The Picture of Dorian Gray
“Sibyl is always under my special care. Of course, if this gentleman is wealthy, there is no
reason why she should not contract an alliance with him.”
­Mrs. Vane, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Janel Meindersee
Photos: Timothy O'Donnell
Milwaukee Ballet | Dorian Gray | February 12-21, 2016
Garrett Glassman
Performing Feb. 13, 19, & 21
DORI A N GR A Y
NARCISSIST
You see all your models in magazines
and on the walls
You wanna be just like them
Cause they’re so cool
* Dorian Gray was the stage name of British pop singer Tony Ellingham
known for his 1968 hit, “I’ve Got You on my Mind”.
They’re just narcissists
Well wouldn’t it be nice to be Dorian
Gray?
Just for a day
They’re just narcissists
Oh, what’s so great to be Dorian Gray
Everyday?
* Angela Lansbury won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Sybil Vane
in the 1945 film, "The Picture of Dorian Gray", directed by Albert Lewin.
* Ivan Albright created a painting for that film in 1943 and is part of the
collection at the Art Institute of Chicago. Though the film was in black
and white, the painting is grotesque and explosive in color and texture.
* Colin Firth played Lord Henry in a 2009 adaptation called Dorian Gray,
which turned the story into a supernatural thriller.
We’re living in a looking glass
As the beauty of life goes by You’re
going to be so oh
* The newsboy in Michael Pink’s Dracula wears a board that says
“Oscar Wilde released from prison” in the scene at Charing Cross
station… Oscar Wilde’s mother and Bram Stoker’s mother were good
friends and these authors were contemporaries.
You’re going to grow so old
Your skin so cold
Well they’re just narcissists
Well wouldn’t it be nice to be Dorian
Gray?
Just for a day
They’re just narcissists
Oh, what’s so great to be Dorian Gray
Everyday?
* Modern psychology recognizes Dorian Gray Syndrome (DGS) as a
cultural and societal phenomenon characterized by an excessive
preoccupation with the individual's own appearance (dysmorphophobia)
accompanied by difficulties coping with the aging process and with the
requirements of maturation.
* An uncensored, annotated version of Wilde’s novella was released in
2011 if you want more detailed scandal!
­The Libertines (English Rock Band,
Song released in 2003)
NEW WORKS NEED YOU
Dorian Gray is the most recent installment of original, full­length works Michael Pink has premiered in
Milwaukee, including Mirror Mirror (2014), La Bohème (2013), and Peter Pan (2010), which PBS
broadcast nationally in 2014. To ensure Milwaukee Ballet can continue to present quality new works,
the Company launched the Campaign for New Work, supported by Sue and Allan “Bud” Selig.
All new and increased donations made to the Campaign for New Work will go toward matching the
Selig's generous gift. Funds raised through this campaign will stretch beyond the Marcus Center and
Pabst stages, supporting new projects danced by the Nancy Einhorn Milwaukee Ballet II Program
and Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy. Consider a gift to the Campaign for New Work and make a
contribution that will last forever.
Milwaukee Ballet | Dorian Gray | February 12-21, 2016