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Act 3 is the price Dorian pays for being immortal. It begins several years after Rose's death and is set in a seedy part of town where Dorian engages in an orgy at a sleazy bar. It is immediately offset with a love song sung by Norman, who has never let go of his image of Dorian as the purest soul he has ever encountered. Dorian, however, has turned into a shell of his former self. While he looks perfect on the outside, his inside has become filled with hate and loathing for the price he has paid. The cruelest joke of his youth has turned out to be played upon himself. While Norman may be oblivious to Dorian's fate, Rhonda has become curious. She realizes something isn't right, but doesn't know what as she tries to probe his secret.
Unfortunately, the story continues to spiral downwards. Dorian meets with Norman and finally reveals the secret of his pure photo, which Norman has never seen since he gave it to Dorian so many years before. To bring the story full circle, Dorian tells Norman that he must share the blame and then bestows the kiss that Norman has always secretly longed for. But it's really a kiss of death, as Dorian follows it up by strangling Norman.
Dorian has now reached the end of the road and wishes to end the tragedy that has become his life. The photo, however, is oblivious and continues to reflect the hideousness that has become Dorian's soul. In a moment of clarity as he descends into total madness, however, Dorian realizes that there is a way out of his predicament. While he can't kill himself, he can kill the photo. So he stabs it in the heart, releases himself from his curse, and dies a peaceful death at the end of a tortured life. It is the price he pays for thinking that beauty is only skin deep.
The songs in Act 3 are:
| Vice Is Right* |
A rap song that has some of the best lyrics in the show. It is a great introduction to the final act. Captures the image of Dorian falling into total degradation. |
| The Real You* |
A love song to Dorian sang by Norman. It's one more of the strong love songs in the show. |
| The Cruelest Joke (reprise) |
A hard-edged version of the Cruelest Joke from Act 1. |
| Secret of Your Life |
A mesmerizing, haunting song about the secrets of life. It's a duet sung by Dorian and Rhonda that will be many people's favorite song. Another one worth the price of admission by itself. |
| This Picture This Portrait (reprise)* |
One of the two final songs that weaves the themes from multiple songs together as the story reaches its conclusion. In this song, Dorian has a final encounter in which he strangles Norman. |
| Quicker Than The Eye (finale)* |
The finale in which Dorian fights for his own soul and wins by destroying his photo. It's a dramatic, powerful conclusion to the musical. |
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* Produced by Paul Hoffert and recorded in McLear Pathe Studios, Toronto |
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