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Act 2 is the story of Dorian's immortality. It begins with him becoming an international star. Rose and Norman love him more than ever. As he evolves, however, the realization that this will last forever goes to his head. Everyone around him will wither and die, while he will just go on and on. This leads to the first chink in his armor. He not only breaks up with Rose, but he dumps her in a cruel fashion just after she becomes pregnant with his child, although he doesn't know it at the time.
The breakup is a crushing blow to Rose, but it is barely a blip on Dorian's consciousness until he comes home one day and discovers that his pristine portrait now has a "hardness in the mouth, a glint in the eye, a cold look of cruelty I don't recognize." In a very frank encounter with the photo, Dorian finally recognizes that he has treated Rose with cruelty and wants his picture to regain its original purity. When he hears that his act is permanent and that his photo is forever altered, Dorian panics and tries to make amends. Rhonda, however, points out that it's in Dorian's nature to pursue his passion, while Norman pleads with Dorian to let his love for Rose win out.
In the end, Dorian lets his passions rule him and he never makes amends with Rose. She, however, vows to go on and raise the child she is carrying. Unfortunately, the child is stillborn, which is the final defeat in Rose's shattered life. In an act of total despair, she commits suicide. Her death is a spiritual shock to Dorian, who makes a descent into nearly full debauchery in an attempt to "cure the soul through the senses for the pain of existence."
The songs in Act 2 are:
| The Right Look |
Another high-tempo show tune that will be produced as a dance extravaganza. It sets the stage for Dorian's life as a demi-god by showing him as an international star who always happens to be at the right place at the right time. |
| The Love That Will Not Come Again |
A hauntingly-beautiful love song duet by Rose and Norman, who both sing of their love for Dorian. While you may suspect that Norman is gay, this song makes it clear, although the issue of homosexuality really isn't explored in the musical. Norman primarily represents the force of spiritual love that Dorian has a chance to embrace. |
| Who Are You* |
A rock song battle between Dorian and Rose that signals their breakup. The song has a hard edge and represents the first clash as the musical starts to spiral towards darkness. |
| A Picture of Him* |
This is the second strong solo by Rose as she sings of her bitter disappointment in losing Dorian, but also of her resolve to keep Dorian's child at the center of her life. This is yet another in a series of powerful, yet sensitive songs. |
| I Am The Mirror* |
If any song can make claim to being the signature song of the performance, this one is it. It has an absolutely electric beginning as Dorian sees that his portrait has changed into a hardness he's never seen before, and then builds to a terrific climax as Dorian vows to make it all right again. |
| Can't Get Away* |
This song is a battle for Dorian's soul between Rhonda and Norman. It has a haunting quality about it, although it builds from an introspective beginning into a powerful conclusion. Think of this one as a terrific show tune with strong rock leanings. |
| Prayer |
These are the only lyrics not written by Steve Mayoff. They come from a poem by Oscar Wilde entitled The Ballad of Reading Gaol. The song itself has the tone of a funeral dirge and takes place while Rose is in labor and gives birth to a stillborn baby. |
| Whisper From The Grave* |
This one is a powerful song that brings out the emotions of grief in everyone, especially Dorian. It has a chilling impact as Rose commits suicide and Dorian realizes that he has lost his true love. At the end, Dorian fall into the depths of despair and vows to cure his grief through indulging his passions. |
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* Produced by Paul Hoffert and recorded in McLear Pathe Studios, Toronto |
Go to Act 3 - The Price
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