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Gross Indecency

theatre Q

May 29-June 22, 2008

Avg. Event Rating (4.8 Stars): Add Review/Comment

Oscar Wilde is not only arguably one of the most famous English speaking playwrights ever, but is also the center of one of history’s most captivating and heartbreaking stories. Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, by Moisès Kaufman, tells the story of the decline of the most notorious artist of the time and marks a major turning point in the history of gays and lesbians. From the one of the creators of The Laramie Project, Gross Indecency weaves together the transcripts from Oscar Wilde’s three trials with other writings on the subject to depict the string of events that led to Wilde’s downfall.

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• Ticket Info

  Tickets: $10-$25

  Info Phone: 415-433-1235

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• Dates & Times

  Dates:
  May 29-June 22, 2008

  Times:
  Thurs-Sat: 8pm
  Sun: 2pm

• Venue Info

  Dragon Theatre

  535 Alma Street Palo Alto, CA 94301

  Full map and directions

• Parking Info

  Free street after 3pm and nearby lot parking available. Parking garage is three doors down.

• Accessibility Info

  • Wheelchair Access

• NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate, however it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.

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  • Event Name: Gross Indecency
    "Don't Miss this!!!"
    Review posted by: dramagal614 from Palo Alto, CA, Jun 17, 2008
    

    An incredible production-- compelling script, superb acting, tight staging-- one of the best evenings of theatre I've seen in ages... DON"T MISS IT!!!

    An incredible production-- compelling script, superb acting, tight staging-- one of the best evenings of theatre I've seen in ages... DON"T MISS IT!!!

  • Event Name: Gross Indecency
    "Absolutely brilliant!"
    Review posted by: Szonja Szelenyi from Palo Alto, CA, Jun 07, 2008
    

    Theater Q’s production of GROSS INDECENCY: THE THREE TRIALS OF OSCAR WILDE (Moises Kaufman) is simply phenomenal! If you go to just one play this year, this is the one to see. The script is... Expand

    Theater Q’s production of GROSS INDECENCY: THE THREE TRIALS OF OSCAR WILDE (Moises Kaufman) is simply phenomenal! If you go to just one play this year, this is the one to see. The script is intelligent, relevant, and complex. Kaufman deals with the complex issues of class, gender, and sexuality with the skills of a fully-trained sociologist. The play generates many interesting emotions in the audience from empathy (Wilde being prosecuted over and over again for being gay in Victorian England) to utter disdain (Wilde being a narcissistic and arrogant – albeit brilliant - man who used young working class boys for his sexual pleasure). John Aney (as Oscar Wilde) was absolutely believable and tremendously moving in his performance. His body language, his diction, and his silently loving glances at Wilde’s true love (a young aristocratic man by the name of Lord Alfred Douglas) made it nearly impossible to look at anyone else on stage when he was present. Collapse

  • Event Name: Gross Indecency
    "It's Wild"
    Review posted by: Lena from Stanford, Jun 05, 2008
    

    John Aney brings Oscar Wilde back to life with panache and gravitas in a script stitched together from trial transcripts and memoirs. There is a lot of social history here. Queen Victory promulgates... Expand

    John Aney brings Oscar Wilde back to life with panache and gravitas in a script stitched together from trial transcripts and memoirs. There is a lot of social history here. Queen Victory promulgates the law against gross indecency in male behavior, assuming women don't do such things. The law stayed on the books in Britain until the 1960s apparently. For all the documentary history, the play never bogs down in antiquarianism, but floats on the sparkling interplay of personalities. The actors, other than the lead, move rapidly in and out of roles that range from weighty to frivolous, switching from aristocratic cadences to working class acents. Wilde gets caught up in the storm he inadvertently unleashes, and is unable or unwilling to flee. Vindication only comes posthumously... Collapse

  • Event Name: Gross Indecency
    "An artistic triumph"
    Review posted by: A New Wilde fan from Palo Alto. CA, Jun 04, 2008
    

    A rapid-fire pace, beautifully crafted dialogue, nuanced performances... A very moving production about the role of art and of the artist, itself an artistic triumph.

    A rapid-fire pace, beautifully crafted dialogue, nuanced performances... A very moving production about the role of art and of the artist, itself an artistic triumph.

  • Event Name: Gross Indecency
    "Gross Indecency"
    Review posted by: Rick Propas from Fremont, CA USA, Jun 02, 2008
    

    Even though the lead is a good friend, which is why we went, we had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in the theater. Within the context of a small theater, the production was thoroughly... Expand

    Even though the lead is a good friend, which is why we went, we had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in the theater. Within the context of a small theater, the production was thoroughly professional, well staged and well acted. John Aney as Wilde was standout (and I'd say that even if he wasn't a pal), and he was well supported by the rest of the cast, particularly the actors portraying Alfred Douglas, his father Queensbury and the lawyer Clark. Most highly recommended. Collapse

  • Event Name: Gross Indecency
    "Moving ... stimulating... brilliant"
    Review posted by: Theatre Q Fan from Palo Alto, CA, Jun 02, 2008
    

    This is a fantastic staging of Kaufman's brilliant piece on Oscar Wilde. A tour-de-force for John T. Aney as Wilde, and a great ensemble cast, with standout performances from Michael Moerman,... Expand

    This is a fantastic staging of Kaufman's brilliant piece on Oscar Wilde. A tour-de-force for John T. Aney as Wilde, and a great ensemble cast, with standout performances from Michael Moerman, Thomas Azar and Matthew Lowe. Highly recommended! Collapse

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