Home > What's On Stage > Mainstage Season: Hedda & Dolls
Hedda Gabler and A Dolls House
Both written by Henrik Ibsen
Directed by Steve Cardamone and Daisy Walker
Presented in rotation October 26 – November 11, 2006
Director Steve Cardamone's statement on "A Doll’s House":
Our quest to find out who we really are instead or who we appear to be, of conforming vs. being free, of embracing the truth, however painful it may be, and of the need to question conventional wisdom.
Martha in Ibsen's PILLARS OF SOCIETY: "Oh, how we suffer here, under this tyranny of custom and convention!" The character of Dina in the same play: "I will give myself. I will not simply be taken." Both of these characters foreshadowed one of literature's most famous characters: Nora Helmer in A DOLL'S HOUSE.
Director Daisy Walker's statement on "Hedda Gabler ":
The character of Hedda Gabler is trapped within the confines of her decisions. In the course of the play we come to understand that Hedda craves the love, passion, freedom and genius of Eilert Lovborg –a man of ill repute from her past. And yet Hedda has chosen to marry the presentable, solid, naive, society-approved George Tesman. While recognizing all the things she craves and wishes for, she is surrounded by what she loathes. She chooses not to leave for utter fear of scandal. Then because she cannot control her own situation she sets about to manipulate and control everyone around her. Written in 1890, Hedda Gabler is a remarkably modern play. It feels contemporary not only in theme (of a woman struggling with her choices) but in its form as well. Ibsen’s use of language—that this translation by Jon Robin Baitz succeeds in doing so well—is easy, colloquial and familiar. Like the characters surrounding Hedda - we are soon caught up and seduced by this sexy, smart, dark and surprisingly funny play.
10.26 at 7:30pm – Hedda Gabler
10.27 at 8pm – Doll’s House
10.28 at 8pm – Hedda Gabler
10.29 at 2pm – Doll’s House
11.2 at 7:30pm – Doll’s House
11.3 at 8pm – Hedda Gabler
11.4 at 8pm – Doll’s House
11.5 at 2pm – Hedda Gabler
11.10 at 8pm – Doll’s House
11.11 at 8pm – Hedda Gabler
Opening Night Post-Show Reception: Thursday, October 26th
ASL Interpreted: Saturdays, November 4th and November 11th