The Gray: A Wilde Audio Drama reimagines Oscar Wilde’s classic novel as a 4-part musical series that follows dead rock star, Dorian Gray, as he recounts his youth and tries to piece together the meaning of his life through one final farewell concert. Set in Toronto’s Gay Village during the late 1970s, The Gray brings these characters into the grunge punk rock scene of David’s Disco, merging the historical real-life setting with this timeless tale of morality and the relentless pursuit of beauty. When Dorian, a young singer-songwriter, catches the eye of Basil, the awkward closeted photographer, he cannot get enough of Dorian’s beauty. Promising to introduce him to Henry, the club’s owner, in hopes of becoming a star, Dorian lets Basil take a picture of him. Henry is entranced by Dorian’s red lipstick, and soon, Dorian also becomes obsessed with this picture of himself and the power it holds over others. After Henry makes Dorian the club’s headline act and corrupts the young songwriter into the dark side of nightlife culture, Dorian notices the once beautiful image turning into his nightmare. With an original musical score inspired by the legendary genre of glam rock, The Gray explores self-expression, the generational trauma of queerness, and the definition of beauty in LGBTQ+ spaces.

Written, Composed, and Directed by Anthony PalermoProduction Management, Sound Design, and Editing by Alison Starkey

Content Warning: Homophobia & Use of Homophobic Language, Drug Use, Alcohol Use, Discourse about Body Image, Discourse on Gender Dysphoria, Emotional Abuse, Mentions of Sexual Assault