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Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde
By Moises Kaufman and Tectonic Theatre Company
Directed by Stephen M. Genovese
Produced by BoHo (Bohemian Theatre Ensemble)
At Bo Ho Theatre at Heartland Studio
7016 N. Glenwood
Chicago, IL
Call 773-791-3293, tickets $20
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 2 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes with intermission
Through August 26, 2007
Brilliant script, brilliant staging and brilliant acting propel Gross Indecency as one of the year’s finest plays
Under Thomas J. Samorian and Stephen M. Genovese’s leadership, Bo Ho Ensemble has produced a terrific body of work over the last few years. Their Side Show won 5 Jeff Citation Awards and I predict Gross Indecency will win a few Jeff’s. Director Stephen Genovese proves that he can direct drama with this riveting production. Take Moises Kaufman’s deft combination of Oscar Wilde quotes (from his letters, plays, novels and essays) to British court notes to newspaper reports with smart staging and terrific ensemble acting and you get one excellent dramatic play. Gross Indecency is a court room docudrama, a character sketch of Oscar Wilde (Sam Wootten), Boise (Jackson Doren) and Queensbury (David Roby) as well as a look at the foibles of Victorian England. It is also a social commentary and a tragedy.
In 1895 Oscar Wilde brought a libel suit against the Marquess of Queensbury, the father of his young lover Boise. Wilde was called in public a “posing somdomite.” This unwise decision set into play a series of actions against Wilde that led to his ruin both financially and socially. Victorian England staunchly kept to the old Victorian values that found homosexual activity (among men) “gross indecency” and a threat to the social order.
Oscar Wilde used the three trials to fight his lifelong struggle to form a new type of thinking among the intellectuals that placed the creation of beauty through the arts as the main purpose of mankind. Wilde found the beauty in young boys to be a personal expression of his search for beauty.
He never used labels like ‘gay’ or ‘homosexual’ but he did champion one’s freedom to have consensual sex with men or women. Wilde makes the case for art as dominant over the morality of the day. His tragic downfall brought homosexuality into the social spotlight. Sam Wootten is mesmerizing as the self-disciplined and sophisticated English gentleman—Oscar Wilde. Wootten’s erudite posture and polished speech was exquisite to witness. He captured the wit, arrogance and confidence of Wilde. Wootten’s large size commanded the stage with his air of control and smug facial expressions. Sam Wootten is outstanding as Wilde. He alone is worth the ticket price.
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Wootten is surrounded by capable players who land an assortment of British, Scottish and Irish accents with aplomb. Kevin Mayes as Clarke, Wilde’s attorney together with David Roby’s emotional Queensbury and Jackson Doran’s angelic looking Bosie all contributed excellent performances. Ryan Guhde, Evan Linder, Andrew Marchetti. Paul G. Miller and Tom Weber played multiple parts nicely.
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Kaufman’s script is remarkable in that he shows that Wilde refused to save himself. Wilde was a true romantic in that he tried to make the case that art is morality and that "the love that dare not speak its name" is really an extension of personal morality and not the business of government or society. He argues that pleasure is a high moral goal. Through speeches, letters and cross examinations, art verses morality and personal freedom verses societal standards come over load and clear in this fast paced and moving drama. This old fashion courtroom drama covers many intellectual complexities that will keep you engaged. You’ll leave the theatre stimulated and thoughtful. Kudos to BoHo for delivering such a smart work.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2007
Jeff Recommended
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