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Pentacle Theatre |
Oregon Composer’s Musical To Open In Moscow
Oregon composer Randy Bowser travels to Russia on Nov. 3 to direct the professional International Premiere of his stage musical, “Dorian—The Remarkable Mister Gray” at The Stas Namin Moscow Theatre of Music and Drama.
SALEM, OREGON — Oct. 24, 2008 —In April 2007, Pentacle Theatre of Salem, Oregon, staged “Dorian,” based on Oscar Wilde’s novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” Attending on opening night was Michael Butler, the original producer of “Hair” on Broadway. The show’s creator, Mr. Bowser, signed a contract with Mr. Butler to develop “Dorian” for the professional stage.
Butler’s colleague, Russian producer-musician Stas Namin, became aware of the show and requested to present the first professional production in Moscow. Bowser, Butler and Namin met in L.A. in July to finalize arrangements. The libretto has been translated in Russian and pre-production has been in progress for several months. Butler is pleased to present the international production of “Dorian” preceding the show’s American professional debut.
Bowser will work with the cast in Moscow for the initial three weeks of rehearsals then return in March of 2009 to finalize the show for opening night.
According to Bowser, “Russia is the motherland of modern drama. To have my musical staged in Moscow promises to be a highlight of my life. It is a great honor.”
Stas Namin’s rock group “Flowers” was the first Soviet super-band. He founded the Stas Namin Theatre in Moscow’s famous Gorky Park, presenting acclaimed productions of musicals such as “Jesus Christ Superstar” “Godspell” and “Hair.” His company will now add “Dorian” to their repertoire.
In 1974, Bowser’s rock opera based on Dante’s “Inferno” received an award from the William Morris Agency. He has also written other stage pieces such as “The Nightingale” produced at The Masquers Club in Hollywood. At Pentacle Theatre, Bowser directed productions such as “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” and Joe Brooks’ “Metropolis” which Salem’s newspaper, The Statesman Journal, cited as one of the top 10 cultural events of 2002.