Displaying items by tag: Brian Kulaga
Pose and Prose: DORIAN now playing at Open Space Arts
Chicago is well-known for its hidden gems: speakeasies hidden behind working laundromats, restaurants located down darkened alleyways, and even theatres located in basements and converted houses. One such innocuous playhouse resides in a small, transitioned home studio, just west of the Uptown neighbourhood. Like any hidden gem in Chicago, looks can be deceiving, and the hyper-intimate 25-seat theatre that is Open Space Arts is playing anything but small as they put on the Chicago Premiere of DORIAN.
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 theatre.
Similar to the space it was performed in, DORIAN, directed by Aaron Holland, is one of those surprise gems woven into the fabric of the city’s neighbourhoods. The play dramatises the story of Oscar Wilde’s novel THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY in the present-day club scene, where Dorian, the main protagonist, Basil, an artist who idolises Dorian, and Henry, the aristocratic antagonist, gallivant around late 1800s London in search of art, beauty, and just a smidge of hedonism. The minimalist-maximalism of the Open Arts Space is expertly utilised by the play’s performers, Luke Gerdes as Dorian, Bosie, and others, Anthony Kayer as Henry Wotton, Oscar Wilde and others and Brian Kulaga as Basil, James, and other characters. The three performers bring the hedonism and exuberance of Wilde’s Victorian London to the modern stage with wickedly witty dialogue and a reverence for the late author. DORIAN juxtaposes THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY alongside the historical record of Wilde’s prosecution and conviction for the “gross indecency” of his relationship with the much younger Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas in 1895, at the height of his literary success. The two stories intertwine beautifully, with plenty of camp and sass like The Victorian Homosexual Quiz, blended with respect and reverence that Wilde himself would applaud. The performances of Gerdes’ Dorian and Kayers’ Wilde are shockingly tender, perfectly capturing the drive and desire for beauty and youth that both the author and fictional protagonist sought in Victorian London.
DORIAN is as relevant and relatable today as it was in Victorian times. The play features many of the same challenges, vices, and themes that modern-day audiences can relate to. Told with poetic prose and perfectly picturesque poses, this production is a rare gem in the Chicago theatre scene. Just as our protagonist, Dorian Gray, or the author himself, Oscar Wilde, would do, we must covet and hold on to our Chicago gems, appreciate and admire them. Youth, beauty, art, and productions are all fleeting in their world, and DORIAN is no different. DORIAN will play through December 14 at Open Space Arts (1411 W. Wilson, Chicago). Tickets are $30 and are on sale now at www.openspacearts.org.
A Call You Want To Answer: Jerker, Or The Helping Hand speaks volumes in Uptown
30 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThere are no shortage of stories to be told in Chicago. Whether you’re visiting a museum, riding the L, or…
Joffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker returns with all-new projections, Dec 4-27
30 October 2026 in Upcoming DanceThe Joffrey Ballet announces the return of two-time Tony Award®-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon's The Nutcracker this holiday season. For the…
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL December 3 - 19
30 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreMetropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce…
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Announces Cast and Creative Team for The Christmas Schooner, November 24, 2026 - January 3, 2027
30 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreMetropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce…
Comedian Nate Jackson brings 'Big Dog Tour' to The Auditorium December 4th
30 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Auditorium (Chicago’s landmark stage at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly presents comedian Nate Jackson as part of…
ROMEO + JULIET FILM IN CONCERT Coming to Broadway In Chicago January 30th, 2027
29 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreGEA Live, in collaboration with Disney Concerts and Baz Luhrmann , along with Broadway In Chicago, are excited to announce…
The Beloved Holiday Classic, "Ruth Page's The Nutcracker," Celebrates 60 Years at Four Chicagoland Locations This Holiday Season, December 5–20
29 October 2026 in Upcoming DanceThe Ruth Page Center for the Arts is proud to present its annual live production of "Ruth Page's The Nutcracker"…
A Masterwork Reanimated: Manual Cinema's Frankenstein Still Inspires Awe
29 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewSince premiering at Court Theatre in 2018, Manual Cinema's Frankenstein has stood as one of Chicago's most remarkable theatrical achievements.…
3Arts Celebrates the Artists Who Make Chicago Shine: 2026 Awards Celebration honors the creative voices shaping Chicago’s cultural landscape.
27 October 2026 in Theatre BuzzOn Monday, October 26, 2026, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance became a gathering place for Chicago’s artistic community…
3Arts distributes $860,000 in unrestricted grants to Chicago artists at 3Arts Awards, surpassing $10M in lifetime funding
27 October 2026 in Theatre Buzz3Arts, the Chicago-based nonprofit grantmaking organization, awarded $860,000 to Chicago artists and announced the recipients of its 3Arts Next Level…
Guarneri Hall announces two-day series REVOLUTIONS on the intersection between music, politics, and social change November 11-12, 2026
26 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe nonprofit Guarneri Hall, a state-of-the-art, custom-built classical music venue in the heart of downtown Chicago at 11 E. Adams…
The Front Theatre announces casting for the North American Premiere of Sap February 25 - March 27, 2027
26 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Front Theatre announces casting for the North American premiere of Rafaella Marcus's highly acclaimed play Sap, directed by Charles Riffenburg. Sap is…
Kokandy Productions Presents A CLOCKWORK ORANGE: A PLAY WITH MUSIC - November 5, 2026 – January 10, 2027 at The Chopin Theatre
23 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreKokandy Productions is pleased to conclude its 2026 Season with A Clockwork Orange: A Play with Music, a live adaptation…
The Book of Mormon - Cadillac Palace - Through November 1st
23 October 2026 in Now PlayingIt’s back by popular demand! Broadway In Chicago is excited to announce that THE BOOK OF MORMON is now playing…
The Artistic Home 2026-27 Season to include Arthur Miller’s THE PRICE, Chekhov’s IVANOV, and the annual CUT TO THE CHASE festival of one-act plays
23 October 2026 in Theatre BuzzThe Artistic Home's 2026-27 season will include works by new writers, along with less performed works by two of the…
Hyde Park School of Dance presents annual performances of The Nutcracker December 11–13 at Mandel Hall
21 October 2026 in Upcoming DanceHyde Park School of Dance, now in its 33rd year of training, performance, and community, welcomes families and dance enthusiasts…
Holiday Hilarity! Paramount presents The Second City’s Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue at downtown Aurora’s Copley Theatre, Nov. 20-Dec. 23
21 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreNeed something better than old reruns of Hallmark Movies this holiday season? Want to see some real nut-crackers? Then dash…
Mary, A Holiday Dansical Returns for one performance only at Logan Center December 13th
21 October 2026 in Upcoming DanceBlack Girls Dance®, which centers Black and Brown girls in joyful community, presents its sixth annual production of Mary, A…
The Gift Theatre's Hayward: A Floridian-Style Shiva
20 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThere are funerals where grief brings a family together, and then there are funerals where grief opens the door to…
Chicago Shakespeare Makes Winter’s Tale a Story Worth Telling
20 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewChicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of The Winter’s Tale delivers a compelling evening of theater, showcasing an exceptional company of actors…
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents JESSIE MUELLER WITH SETH RUDETSKY – December 18 & 19, 2026
20 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company and Mark Cortale are pleased to announce the return of Tony Award-winning Broadway star Jessie Mueller (Beautiful:…
Remy Bumppo’s Mud Row: A Family Haunted by the Past
20 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewRemy Bumppo opens its 30th anniversary season with Mud Row, a play by Tony Award nominee and MacArthur “Genius” Grant…
A Joe & Melanie Thing Theatre Company announces The Hanukkah Humbug at Greenhouse Theater Center - December 3-6
20 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe world premiere of The Hanukkah Humbug brings ghosts, history, tradition, and a whole lot of family fun to the…
Identity Performing Arts' Fifth Anniversary Gala: Movement That Keeps Becoming
19 October 2026 in Dance in ReviewFive years is an important milestone for any arts organization, but for a contemporary dance company it also marks an…
Music Theater Works Pours a Beachy Cocktail with Escape to Margaritaville
19 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewA gentle, tide‑easy current settles in right from the start, immediately signaling the kind of story this musical wants to…
Overshadowed Theatrical Productions Brings Beloved Holiday Classic It’s a Wonderful Life to the Stage
18 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThis holiday season, Overshadowed Theatrical Productions is thrilled to present the timeless holiday classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, live on…
Dance Theatre of Harlem fills Auditorium Theatre with fire and funk
18 October 2026 in Dance in ReviewProjecting a vibe that felt more homecoming party than ballet presentation, Dance Theatre of Harlem returned to Chicago on October…
“A Strange Loop” Lets the Intrusive Thoughts Win at Raven Theatre in partnership with About Face Theatre
17 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewA musical, but it’s just the voices in your head. Sounds just crazy enough to win the 2020 Pulitzer for…
BTE Opens New Season with Gunderson's "Louisa May Alcott's Little Women" Nov. 12-Dec. 13
16 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBuffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE), the professional Equity theater companyin residence at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC), opens its 2026-27 three-play…
Announcing Goodman's 22nd New Stages 2026 Festival Line-Up
15 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFrom a "Kung Fu rom-com" to a witchy new musical, The Goodman's popular New Stages Festival in its 22nd year continues…
Latest Articles
-
A Call You Want To Answer: Jerker, Or The Helping Hand speaks volumes in Uptown
Written by Kendall RoyzenThere are no shortage of stories to be told in Chicago. Whether you’re visiting a museum, riding the L, or simply sitting on a lakeshore bench, you can find a story in every person you encounter, every landmark you see,… -
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL December 3 - 19
Written by Buzz Center StageMetropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce the cast and creative team for A Christmas Carol, with a Metropolis Family Series run December 3 - 19 and… -
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Announces Cast and Creative Team for The Christmas Schooner, November 24, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Written by Buzz Center StageMetropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce the cast and creative team for The Christmas Schooner, November 24, 2026 - January 3, 2027. The Christmas Schooner is…
-
Comedian Nate Jackson brings 'Big Dog Tour' to The Auditorium December 4th
Written by Buzz Center StageThe Auditorium (Chicago’s landmark stage at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly presents comedian Nate Jackson as part of Jackson’s international “Big Dog Tour”. The two-performance evening takes place on Friday, December 4, 2026 at 7:30 PM and a…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.