Beginning March 12, locals can head to Hedgerow Theatre Company to see the U.S premiere of ‘Nora: A Doll’s House‘ by Scottish Olivier Award-winning playwright and director Stef Smith.
Visitors might recognize the name, as the show is an adaptation of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’. This version breaks the story into three different time periods: 1920, 1973 and 2018.
Henrik Ibsen’s ‘A Doll House’ holds the distinction of being the world’s most-performed play as of 2006, a release notes. The three-act play originally debuted in 1879, and global controversy followed for Ibsen’s “daring depiction of the inequities men and women faced in traditional, 19th-century marriages.”
Stef Smith created ‘Nora: A Doll’s House’ in 2019, and shortly after, it was a finalist for the 2020 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize (awarded annually to celebrate women who have written works of outstanding quality for the English-speaking theatre.)
“It’s a privilege to have ‘Nora: A Doll’s House’ staged by Hedgerow Theatre,” said Smith in a statement. “Increasingly, we live in a time where international collaboration feels vital, and this couldn’t happen at a more critical time. I am truly excited to see how the cast and creatives realize this play and meet the audience at the theatre.”
Over the course of 100 years, Smith takes the center character of Nora and has her face different challenges—whether it be in her marriage or personal life—with the backdrop of the societal norms of that time. Three actors will alternate between Nora and her best friend Christine across the three eras.
The cast features stage actors Mallory Avnet, Kaitlyn Cheng, Ahren Potratz, Amanda Schoonover, Angel Sigala, and Michael Stahler. Hedgerow’s production of ‘Nora: A Doll’s House’ is directed by Philadelphia-based playwright, director, and actor Emma Gibson.
“The opportunity to direct Stef Smith’s bold re-telling of Ibsen’s classic play feels both important and invigorating at this critical time in our history when women’s rights continue to be under threat,” said Gibson.
“Despite the powerful feminist message, this play extends far beyond the political and historical. ‘Nora: A Doll’s House’ is a deeply human play about learning to be true to yourself, the power of female friendship, the complexities of our relationships, the duty of motherhood, and the possibility of transformation. It asks us who we want to be and whether we are brave enough to make that happen.”
Gibson leads the production’s all-women creative team as well, including Stage Manager Eilis Skamarakas, Scenic Designer Shannon Zura, Hedgerow Resident Lighting Designer Lily Fossner, Intimacy Director Abby Weisman and Costume Designer Erin Prokopchak. Gibson also serves as the production’s Sound Designer.
‘Nora: A Doll’s House’ is set to run from March 12 to April 6 at Hedgerow Theatre Company (64 Rose Valley Road, Media). Pride Night will take place (with a pre-show reception and happy hour) on April 3, a “Parent’s Night Out” will also be held on March 21 (where Hedgerow teaching artists will lead a workshop for emerging artists ages 5 to 11), and open-caption performances are available from Friday, March 28, to Sunday, March 30.
Audiences can also check out “relaxed performance” on Sunday, March 30 (with a sensory tour and pre-show notes) and the March 30 matinee performance also includes an audio description.
Tickets (various prices) are available online at hedgerowtheatre.org or by calling the box office at 610-565-4211 or e-mailing company@hedgerowtheatre.org.
