Opening Night: March 27, 2025

Venue: Music Box Theatre, Broadway

Original Work by: Oscar Wilde

Adaptation and Direction by: Kip Williams

Star Performer: Sarah Snook

Running Time: 2 hours (no intermission)

In an exhilarating and imaginative take on Oscar Wilde's classic tale, Sarah Snook delivers a mesmerizing performance in *The Picture of Dorian Gray*, which opened on Broadway to rave reviews. Directed and adapted by Kip Williams, this production pushes theatrical boundaries while staying true to Wilde’s original narrative.

Featuring a seamless blend of live performance and cutting-edge video technology, the show showcases Snook’s versatile talent as she deftly switches between more than two dozen characters. Instead of the conventional sequential portrayal seen in other adaptations, Snook souvent interacts with her own video images, creating a striking visual experience reminiscent of contemporary cinematic techniques.

The show brilliantly introduces clever anachronisms, updating the narrative with elements like modern dance clubs and smartphones, serving to resonate with a contemporary audience. This modern twist ensures that the story of Dorian Gray—whose vanity leads him down a dark path of moral decay—feels both relevant and riveting today.

The production is filled with vibrant visuals and inventive staging. Marg Horwell's eye-catching set and costume designs punctuate the narrative, enveloping the audience in a kaleidoscope of colors, while Clemence Williams' sound design uses snippets of familiar music to mirror the emotion and action onstage. The lighting, skillfully curated by Nick Schlieper, enhances the theatrical allure, complementing the story's broader themes of beauty and decay.

While there are moments of joyous creativity, some critics have pointed out that the overwhelming use of video technology and abrupt shifts in tone could be distracting. A particular scene that ventures into expansive outdoor footage, set to the grand strains of Mahler's Symphony No. 2, strays into territory that some might find silly rather than poignant, creating a brief disconnect from the otherwise tight narrative.

Despite these minor hiccups, the production plunges forward with relentless energy, culminating in a dramatic climax that stays true to Wilde’s cautionary tale about the perils of vanity and moral corruption. Though the final moments feel slightly anticlimactic compared to the buildup, Snook’s magnetic presence renders the experience thoroughly memorable.

Those seeking both a tribute to a literary classic and an innovative theatrical spectacle will find *The Picture of Dorian Gray* a transformative homage. As Broadway continues to embrace bold storytelling, Sarah Snook's daring performance and Kip Williams' creative vision ensure that this production will leave a lasting impression on audiences for years to come.

Prepare to be dazzled by Sarah Snook’s extraordinary portrayal in this fearless and visually stunning adaptation—this is Broadway at its most adventurous!