Hedda Gabler Broadway - A Roundabout Theatre Company Production

By Author: Al Terry
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Hedda Gabler Broadway presented by the Roundabout Theatre Company features Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe winning actress Mary-Louise Parker in the title role. The production which is directed by Ian Rickson is a new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler by Christopher Shinn. The play marks the return of actress Mary-Louise Parker to Broadway after her performance in Craig Lucas's Reckless in 2004 which fetched a Tony nomination. Hedda Gabler Broadway will be presented by the Roundabout Theatre Company at the American Airlines Theatre, in January 2009. Hedda Gabler has been presented on Broadway many times in the past. The most recent revival in September 2001-January 2002 featured Kate Burton in the lead role. Burton received a Tony nomination for her role.

A Brief Description Of Hedda Gabler Broadway

The play is one of the greatest social dramas about a woman in the late nineteenth century, trapped in marriage and her tormented wish to escape. In Hedda Gabler Broadway, the newly married Hedda Tesman is sick and bored of her life with her husband, George Tesman. She longs for spiritual and individual freedom. ...
... Being the daughter of General Gabler, she is accustomed to the fun loving and exciting social world of her father's home. With the re-entry of her rival, Mrs. Elvsted with Hedda's former lover, Eljert Lovberg, Hedda begins a cruel game. Hedda begins to amuse herself with the many misfortunes she inflicts on the people around her. As Hedda Gabler fights to balance her life with her wild desires, she initiates a frenzied chain of events that bring the story to a chilling climax.

The Cast Behind Hedda Gabler Broadway

The lead role of Hedda Gabler is essayed by Mary-Louise Parker who looks absolutely divine in designer Ann Roth's magnificent costumes. Hedda's idiosyncratic observations towards the affable Tesman, her husband, portrayed by Michael Cerveris, however are often cynical. Hedda's sneering behavior does not end at her husband. Thea Elvsted (Ana Reeder) who is a rival of Hedda before the self-indulgent writer Eljert Lovberg (Paul Sparks), the shy maid (Lois Markle) and Tesman's motherly aunt (Helen Carey) are all victims of Hedda's sharp behavior. The one person who is as manipulative as Hedda and manages to see through her sorrow is Judge Brack played by Peter Stormare, the great Swedish actor. Stormare, however appears awkward with the dialogue although he looks suitably lecherous.

Hedda Gabler Broadway is director Ian Rickson's second major revival during the current Broadway season, his first being the glowing production of the Chekhov masterpiece, The Seagull. Although the performances and production of the play are not up to the mark, playwright Christopher Shinn's precise, economical and modern adaptation of the play deserves applause. The play's journey across the almost Spartan settings provided by Hildegard Bechtler is surprisingly swift. Hedda Gabler Broadway is a different sort of play being rather jarring and straight with its emotions. Watch it!
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