Open Space Arts has announced it will stage the Chicago Premiere of DORIAN, by Phoebe Eclair‑Powell and Owen Horsley, from November 28 through December 14, in its hyper-intimate 25-seat theater at 1411 W. Wilson. The play dramatizes the story of Oscar Wilde’s novel THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY in the present day club scene, alongside the historical record of Wilde’s prosecution and conviction for the “gross indecency” of his gay relationship with the much younger Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas in 1895. This juxtaposition demonstrates the timeliness of Wilde’s DORIAN GRAY theme of obsession with youth and beauty, an obsession that would later prove fatal for Wilde himself. DORIAN had its world premiere, directed by co-author Horsley, in 2021 at the Reading Rep Theatre in Reading, England, near the Reading Gaol where Wilde served the majority of his two-year prison sentence. The play received its US premiere in March 2025 by the Irish Classical Theatre Company of Buffalo, New York. Open Space Arts’ DORIAN will open to the press on Friday, November 28 at 7:30 pm and play through Sunday, December 14.
Open Space Arts’ DORIAN will be directed by 20-year veteran Chicago director, actor, and playwright Aaron Holland. Holland’s performance career includes roles at Chicago theaters ranging from the Goodman and Steppenwolf to TUTA and Chicago Children's Theater, as well as his drag alter-ego Shalita Cake.
Holland’s three-actor cast will play a multitude of roles in both the Dorian Gray and the Oscar Wilde plotlines. Luke Gerdes (TANGO at PrideArts) will play Dorian, Bosie, and others; Anthony Kayer (WAR OF THE WORLDS at Lifeline) will be Henry Wotton, Oscar Wilde and others; and Brian Kulaga (YANK! A WWII LOVE STORY at Pride Films and Plays) will play Basil Hallward, James Vane and others.
L-R: Luke Gerdes, Anthony Kayer, Brian Kulaga.
DORIAN will play from November 28 through December 14 at Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson in Chicago. Tickets are $30 and are on sale now at www.openspacearts.org.
LISTING INFORMATION
DORIAN
By Phoebe Eclair‑Powell and Owen Horsley
Inspired by THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY by Oscar Wilde
CHICAGO PREMIERE
Directed by Aaron Holland
November 28 - December 14, 2025
Press Opening Friday, November 28 at 7:30 pm
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm
Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago
Tickets $30.00 general admission, $25.00 students and seniors. On sale soon at www.openspacearts.org.Tickets $30.00 general admission, $25.00 students and seniors. On sale now at www.openspacearts.org
DORIAN is a thrilling, queer-forward remix of Oscar Wilde’s timeless tale, brought to life in this bold and visually stunning stage adaptation by Phoebe Eclair-Powell and Owen Horsley.
In a world obsessed with beauty and power, what happens when someone is given the chance to remain perfect—forever? This modern interpretation dives headfirst into vanity, desire, and the danger of refusing to age, illuminating the darkest corners of our obsession with self-image and fame. DORIAN fuses gothic horror, biting satire, and cabaret flair into an unforgettable night of theater.
BIOS
Aaron Holland (Director) has been creating theatre on both sides of the table in Chicago for over 20 years, working with everyone from the Goodman and Steppenwolf to TUTA and Chicago Children's Theater. Aaron is also a published playwright, FOR COLORED STONED GAY BOIS as part of the Black Lives/ Black Words Anthology.
In Drag, Aaron is known as Shalita Cake—hosting and producing their own cabaret shows as well as pulling the same duties for others. Aaron was last seen on stage in Red Orchid's 33 TO NOTHING and in Drag with Maureen Sandiego in A STAR IS ABORTED.
Future projects include sound designing around Chicago storefronts, for now.
Phoebe Eclair-Powell (Co-Author) is a British playwright from South-East London. Her plays include WINK and ONE UNDER. Her play FURY was a finalist for the Verity Bargate Award at Soho Theatre. In the summer of 2016, Éclair-Powell had three new shows running: FURY, at Soho Theatre, TORCH at Underbelly and EPIC LOVE and POP SONGS at Pleasance, both at the Edinburgh Fringe. In 2019, Eclair Powell won the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting for her play SHED: EXPLODED VIEW.
Owen Horsley (Co-Author) an Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Associate Director of Cheek By Jowl. He trained at Drama Centre London. His directing credits, in addition to the World Premiere of DORIAN at Reading Rep, include DIANA: THE MUSICAL (Hammersmith Apollo), SALOME by Oscar Wilde (RSC) THE FAMOUS VICTORIES OF HENRY V (RSC), and THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (Watermill Theatre).
Luke Gerdes (One/ Atropos: Narrator, Dorian, Lord Alfred Douglas, et al) recently appeared in TANGO at PrideArts. When not onstage, he enjoys sleeping, spending time with loved ones, drinking ice cold Diet Coke, and confusing people.
Anthony Kayer (he/they) (Three/ Lachesis: Narrator, Henry Wotton, Oscar Wilde, et al) most recently appeared in the world premiere of WAR OF THE WORLDS at Lifeline Theatre, where he is a member of their artistic ensemble. You may have also seen him at Lifeline in: CAT’S CRADLE, JANE EYRE, and ARNIE THE DOUGHNUT, to name a few. Other Chicago credits include work with: Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, The Fly Honey Show, Lookingglass/Uniting Voices Chicago, Griffin Theatre, Next Theatre, The House Theatre of Chicago, inappropriate Theatre Company, and Lookingglass/Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Brian Kulaga (Two/ Clotho: Narrator, Basil Hallward, James Vane, et al) choreographed a group number to Independent Woman Pt. 1 (Destiny’s Child) for his 5th Grade Boy Scout graduation but walked across the stage to “Eye of The Tiger” (it might’ve been the “Rocky Theme”) with the other boys instead. This is for him. Brian has also performed in many musicals around Chicago, including A CHORUS LINE and BUDDY at Metropolis and YANK! A WWII LOVE STORY at Pride Films and Plays.
OPEN SPACE ARTS, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to combating homophobia and transphobia through the transformative power of creativity and cultural expression. Our mission is to foster inclusivity, promote understanding, and empower marginalized communities by utilizing various artistic mediums to challenge discriminatory beliefs and attitudes. OSA won some of the top honors in the Joseph Jefferson Awards for work produced in 2024, including Production of a Play – Short Run (COCK), Direction of a Play – Short Run (Michael D. Graham - LIGHT SWITCH), Performer in a Principal Role – Short Run (Philip Andrew Monnett – LIGHT SWITCH), and Performer in a Supporting Role – Short Run (Sonya Robinson – COCK) . Additionally, Open Space Arts has produced SUNSETS: TWO ACTS ON A BEACH, ROSENBERG, MASSAGE THERAPY, MERCY KILLING, MR. PARKER, “it’s been ten years since everyone died. a play about final girls,” SCANDALOUS BOY, GANGSTA BABY, and THE KRAMER PROJECT in live performances. OSA also produces the Queer Expressions Film Fest, a hybrid fest of streaming and in-person events, which runs from November 1 to July 1 annually. Open Space Arts is led by David Zak.