Gingold Theatrical Group (GTG) will present a reading of Oscar Wilde's The Portrait of Mr. W.H. June 24 at 7 PM at Symphony Space's Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre. Adapted by GTG Artistic Director David Staller, the reading is the conclusion of GTG's 19th season of Project Shaw, a series of script-in-hand performances inspired by the work of George Bernard Shaw.
The cast will include Charles Busch (Ibsen’s Ghost: An Irresponsible Biographical Fantasy), Jay O. Sanders (Purlie Victorious), Thom Sesma (Dead Outlaw), and A.J. Shively (Philadelphia, Here I Come!).
The Portrait of Mr. W.H. theorizes who Shakespeare might truly have written his infamous sonnets about—perhaps a beautiful young actor in Shakespeare's company. In attempting to prove this theory, a pair of men face their most secret fears.
Mark Waldrop will direct the reading. Each Project Shaw performance is followed by a post-show discussion with the cast and director, and The Portrait of W.H. will be followed by a musical soirée, featuring Machine Dazzle and surprise guests. Ed Goldschneider will serve as music director.
“Though Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw were contemporaries from Dublin, Wilde was from a wealthy aristocratic family, educated at all the best schools, and arrived in London with every possible social advantage," Staller said in a statement. "Shaw, on the other hand, was poor, self-educated, and socially unconnected. Both together and independently they made great strides in creating what we now know as Modern English Drama. They inspired and challenged each other. Shaw helped finance Wilde’s legal defense against charges of gross indecency and was determined to keep Wilde’s name alive after the trial. The Portrait of Mr. W.H. was considered particularly shocking at the time and we are delighted to share it to honour NYC Pride Week.”
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