Coming out of the closet can be a difficult process. In the case of one man who happened to be a public figure, that process made the jump from the home to the courtroom.

“Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde” is a play about the hardships endured by writer Oscar Wilde, whose own life became a legal battle when a friend publicly announced Wilde’s homosexuality without his permission. It deals with censorship, art and the freedom to be oneself.

The collage-like script includes snippets of Wilde’s famous wit, actual courtroom transcripts and perspectives from those who knew him during his life.

The show’s producer, Ron Lambert, says he first saw the play in New York. He knew he wanted to do the play, but was worried about the difficult casting and the elaborate Victorian costumes.

“When I first saw the play it blew me away,” Lambert says. “[But this is an] acting challenge for all the men.”

The play consists of 10 men playing a combination of 38 different characters. Lambert says the actors, who varied greatly in age, talent and experience, made casting the roles a challenge.

Stacy Brothers, the play’s director, says this play is about more than the Wilde’s homosexuality.

“[It is about] the downfall of a great man,” Brothers says. “He completely remained true to himself.”

Because of its fresh view on contemporary topics, Lambert says the piece appeals to a younger crowd.

“It deals with personal choice,” Lambert says. “It is a historical perspective that teaches a whole new generation.”

In order to pull off the play’s complex courtroom scenes, the play’s set is designed so audience members feel like they are sitting in the jury box at one of Wilde’s trials. It makes the audience feel more included in the scene, but Brothers says it also helps showgoers feel more connected with the persecution Wilde had to endure.

Nathan Zobel, junior in performing arts, stars as Lord Alfred Douglas, Wilde’s friend and controversial love interest who played a part in his public outing. Zobel says playing the multidimensional character has been a growing experience as an actor.

“[The play is] a really good way to see a popular historical figure in a different way,” Zobel says.

Despite acting in such an emotionally draining part, Zobel says the hardest part of playing his character has been learning how to speak with an English accent.

“It was hard to add the English accent while still trying to validate the character,” Zobel says.

Brothers says the play leaves audience members empathizing with Wilde’s need to balance his public and private personas.

“[By the end of the show], your heart really reaches out to him,” Brothers says.

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What: “Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde”

Where: StageWest Theatre, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines

When: 8 p.m.Friday—Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $8.25 students, $16.50 public