What to wear to go see The Picture of Dorian Gray on Broadway
And where might Dorian like to indulge himself for a spot of dinner near the Theater District?
Do not misunderstand me, I do not consider myself to be a “theater person”. I more so like the idea of being into theater, but unfortunately I'm not really a show tunes lover and most live theater performances bore me to the point where I am itching to look at my phone to know how much time is left in the show (yes, I dozed off during Hamilton and for that, I do apologize).
Last summer, I had the pleasure of seeing Oh Mary! with my mom. I finally felt like I was watching a theater show that was made just for me. It was about an hour and a half in run time, no intermission, and it was laugh out loud funny. We went to Le Rock beforehand for some not-so-light french fare. It all made for a perfectly delish summer Friday evening.
The Picture of Dorian Gray starring Sarah Snook follows a similar formula. The show is just about two hours in run time, no intermission, and again, laugh out loud funny. Of course, the story gets progressively weird and less funny as it goes on, but Sarah Snook is downright hilarious playing all 26 (twenty six!!!) characters.
Ok so let’s get to the part that you all came for. What are you wearing? When I told my sister that I was going to write about the show, she said “SO fun. FLORALS! For spring”. Of course I understood the Devil Wears Prada reference immediately but it wasn’t until I saw the show that I understood the flower motif. I took the floral theme a bit further and thought it would be fun to explore how you can emulate two of the main characters in your dress as well as where you choose to dine beforehand.
Lord Henry Wotton
Lalique Cabochon Ring in Dark Violet (you can find vintage too, stunning one in amber)
Lord Henry is a dapper and very indulgent man. There is one place to go for indulgence near the theater district and that is Le Rock. Owned by the team behind Frenchette and Le Veau D’Or, you will have fabu Leeks Vinaigrette and Steak Frites alongside a well-executed martini (complete with a sidecar). Since you are going to be sitting in a too-small theater seat for over two hours, you’ll want to dress comfortably in a jersey turtleneck and low-heeled boot. That said, you are going to the the-a-tre, so it is very important to mark this momentous occasion with a spiffy look, hence the denim suit.
Dorian Gray
Silver Cuff worn on both wrists. Go COS for inexpensive and Tiffany’s for expensive
Boyish Dorian would enjoy himself a seat at the window-facing counter at Lodi. Or perhaps, if it's nice weather outside, on the patio where the passersby can gaze upon his beauty. Here you will have an appropriately-sized portion of spaghetti pomodoro, a crisp glass of Gavi di Gavi and a coupe of fluffy tiramisu. Dorian prefers a fruity little outfit, so inject some pastels into your look. Again, avoid anything constricting and go with a dressy shoe that's easy to walk in. Lodi is a 10-15 minute walk from the theater district, so you will want something that isn’t going to squeeze your tootsies.
Where to dine pre-show?
As you may have noticed, both of the restaurants that I have suggested are located in Rockefeller Center. I believe the best eating that you are going to do near the Theater District is (ironically) in the general vicinity of The Rink at Rock Center. Recently, this area has turned into a haven for restaurateurs second or third restaurant concepts. Any of the following spots would make for a great pre- or post-show meal:
Jupiter. While I have yet to dine at Jupiter, their sister restaurant King happens to be one of my favorites in New York City. The owner also opened Stissing House upstate, which is top on my list to try.
Golden HOF. Owned by the Golden Diner folks, I went before The Picture of Dorian Gray and had a bright and crunchy cucumber salad alongside an ikura-topped scallion pancake. I don’t feel the need to run back here immediately, but I did enjoy the menu.
NY Kimchi. Also owned by the Golden Diner folks and also recently opened. It is a Korean steakhouse, which may be too heavy for a pre-show dinner. Instead, you might want to go at 9:30PM for a post-show meal.
The Pebble Bar. Owned by the hospitality group behind Ray’s, Jac’s on Bond, the Smile, etc., this bar sits in a townhouse closer to 6th Avenue. If you are looking for more drinks, less food, then this is where I would send you. It's moody, intimate, and serves a fantastic cocktail.
Lodi. A more casual eatery by Ignacio Mattos, who also owns Estela and Altro Paradiso. Although more cafe-like, the menu here is still elevated and worth the visit. I find it perfect for a pre-show meal because it's quick and to the point!
Le Rock. Like I mentioned, this is owned by the Frenchette and Le Veau D’Or team so you know the food is not going to disappoint. Not to mention, it hosts an elegant dining room and art deco bar space with soaring ceilings. I have also heard that celebrities making an appearance on SNL sometimes come here to dine pre-show.
Am I Dorian gray coded? I loooooove the pink barrel jeans and I def already own that purse in pink