Imago Theatre's "Salome"

Imago Co-Founder Jerry Mouawad isn't the first to revisit Oscar Wilde's early tragedy, Salome. World-class directors Yukio Mishima and Max Reinhardt once mounted unforgettable productions while composer Richard Strauss took Wilde's text for arguably his most famous libretto. Even indie filmmaker Ken Russell repopularized the play with his camp classic, Salome's Last Dance. Now Imago long-time collaborator Drew Pisarra has adapted the original into a chamber theatre piece (fewer characters with the intent of more intensity.)

Today, Salome's tawdry tale – including John the Baptist's decapitation – continue to exercise a magnetic appeal. Just ask Al Pacino who's revived it twice on Broadway. Or one of the many musicians seduced by the material such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Liz Phair, Regina Spektor, and John Cale. Though censored in the U.K. at the time of its creation, this is one verse drama that refuses to be silenced — even 130 years…