Northwestern State University Theatre and Dance will present Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” March 8-12 and 15-18 on the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium stage. Performance time is 7:30 p.m. on March 8-11 and 15-18 and March 12 at 2 p.m.
“Hedda Gabler” was written by Henrik Ibsen and revolves around the beautiful and willful Gabler. She is a very ambitious and controlling woman married to the solid and respectable academic George Tesman. The dreamer Eilert Lovborg, an old flame of Hedda’s, reappears and a series of events leads to tragic results. Former Artistic Director Dr. Jack Wann is returning to NSU to direct “Hedda Gabler.”
“Hedda is an intelligent, ambitious woman who lived in a time when women were not allowed to use their brains or have vision,” said Wann. “She resorts to playing tricks on people and finding life to be a ridiculous farce.”
According to Wann, many classic dramatic plays are not getting the attention they once did in collegiate theatre programs.
“Because of the way higher education theatre training is evolving toward musical theatre, straight, realistic acting doesn’t get as much attention,” said Wann. “Performing work’s like ‘Hedda Gabler’ is an important part of an actor’s training.”
The cast is Jay Canova of Marrero as George Tesman, Mona Nasrawi of Covington as Hedda Gabler, Bethany Lee of Baton Rouge as Juliana Texman, Scarlett Saizan of Chalmette as Mrs. Elvsted, Jesse Kortus of Shreveport as Judge Black, Andrew Palmintier of Lafayette as Eilert Lovberg and Maddie Fry of Baton Rouge as Berta.
“Ibsen is a playwright who gives the ball to the actor and lets them run with it,” said Wann. “The actor can play what they feel over what they say. Ibsen is a very actor-friendly playwright and I enjoy directing his work.”
“Hedda Gabler” has been adapted for film and television and has been performed around the world.
“It is one of the top five roles for women,” said Wann. “Hedda is to females what Hamlet is to males.”
Tickets are $15, $12 for children and seniors and Northwestern State, BPCC@NSU and Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts students are admitted free with a current student I.D. For ticket information, call (318) 357-4483 or go to capa.nsula.edu/theatre/season-tickets.
