A Doll's House and A Doll's House, Part 2
Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
By writing the sensational play 'A Doll's House' that premiered in 1879 at the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark, the famous Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen digs into the issues of marriage in the male-dominated world, which is still the huge issue in some countries today. The play went through many adaptations over the years. It has been done in many forms aside from the theatre play; as a film, a radio play, a book, and dance interpretation. And it is known to be one of the most performed plays today.
THE DOLL'S HOUSE PROJECT comprises a new adaptation of A DOLL'S HOUSE by Henrik Ibsen (run time 2 ½ hours incl. Intermission) and Lucas Hnath's A DOLL'S HOUSE, PART 2 (run time 2 hours, incl. Intermission).
The first part opens with Nora Helmer (Emily Chapman) entering her home by carrying many packages of gifts. It is Christmas Eve day, and her inspiration is that one must live and enjoy every moment of life. She is witty, bubbly and very much like a happy, slightly spoiled child who makes her life a 'high priority.' She later reveals that under the facade of playfulness, she feels 'unspeakably empty.' There is a secret she lives with, when her husband Torvald (Griffin Taylor) became sick, some years ago, she committed forgery by placing her signature, instead of her father's, to get a loan and take her husband to Italy, so he would recover. Women were at that time forbidden to do any financial transactions and signing checks without a man's approval was a high crime. All these years she kept that secret from her husband. The banker Nils Krogstad (Wallez 'Wally' James), who helped Nora with the loan, has gotten into the moment when his job was on the line and in order to save it, he comes to Nora asking for help; otherwise, he would expose her 'criminal' act and ruin her good name, especially her husband's precious reputation. At the same time, her friend Kristine Linde (Mara Weisband) comes to visit, in search o
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a job opportunity, because she has lived a hard life since her husband's death, without money and protection. Being experienced in life's struggle for survival, she immediately notices that Nora's life does not have a solid foundation, and she needs to face her secret and expose her husband to it. Up to this point, she has been like a doll in the dollhouse. When she was little her father played with her, just as she played with her dolls. Then her father handed her to her husband, who played with her just as she played with her three little children. When her husband got the picture of what she did, we see that everything is about him, about his pride, his dignity and reputation and she is just a doll in one big dollhouse. After 8 years of marriage, which is the first time that they actually talk, expressing their true feelings with a certain level of shock by realizing that they do not know each other at all, and their life together is just an illusion. That shook her and she decided to leave this life of luxury and experience life, all by herself.
The second show digs into the life of Nora and Torvald - 15 years later, when Nora has become a famous writer and creates a world of luxury, all by herself. She returns to her old home to talk to her husband about the divorce, which she expected and needed him to file. And the confrontation and real feelings are expressed with such deep conviction of their view on life in such an organic, fluid, and sensitive nature.
The production is outstanding. Both plays are explored with a lingering drama wrapped in rich sensitivity and thoughtful interaction. I was there for both shows on Sunday afternoon and evening, and I don't think I was breathing the entire time I was in the theatre; it was mesmerizing. The dialogue and the performances are so rich and engaging that the entire world disappears in front of you. We were totally transformed into the lives, into the feelings of our characters, and their world became our world.
An amazing cast in Part 1 are: Emily Chapman (Nora), Griffin Taylor (Torvald), Jody Booth (Anne-Marie), Mara Weisband (Kristine Linde), Wallez ('Wally') James (Nils Krogstad), Eric Toms/David Bernstein (Dr. Peter Rank), Freya Adams (Understudy - Nora), Jeremy Ray Smolik (Understudy - Torvald), Esther Treadway (Understudy - Anne-Marie).
The directing is phenomenal for both shows. A new adaptation by Mia Christou & Allen Barton is outstanding and beautifully directed by Mia Christou for 'A Doll's House'. 'A Doll's House, Part 2' by Lucas Hnath is directed by Allen Barton. Wonderful job!
The brilliant cast in Part 2 are: Mia Christou (Nora), Lisa Robins (Anne-Marie), Peter Zizzo (Torvald), and Tati Jorio (Emmy). Every single actor is strong and deep. There is not a weak or false note in the whole cast. Bravo everyone!
The Creative Team are: Miles Cooper (Mentor Stage Manager), Kenny Pollone (Stage Manager), David Bello (2ndStage Manager), Derrick McDaniel (Lighting Design), Mia Christou (Set Design), Allen Barton (Sound Designer), Elena Musser and Ariana Parsa (Assistants to Producer/Director), Publicity by Sandra Kuker PR (Sandra Kuker-Franco).
There are many people involved wearing different hats and fulfilling the needs of the production on many different levels. Mia Christou is an amazing director and actor and also a set designer. Beside directing Part 1, she is portraying Nora in Part 2 - 15 years later, when she returns to talk to her husband about the divorce. Incredibly creative, she truly shines in this production. Not to underestimate everyone involved, because everyone is a bright star.
The performances are:
PART 1: A Doll's House - Friday 8pm and Sunday 3pm
Performance dates: 11/8, 11/10, 11/15, 11/17, 11/22, 11/24, 11/29, 12/1, 12/6, 12/8
PART 2: A Doll's House, Part 2 - Saturday 8pm and Sunday 7:30pm
Performance dates: 11/9, 11/10, 11/16, 11/17, 11/23, 11/24, 11/30, 12/1, 12/7, 12/8
The Doll's House Project at Beverly Hills Playhouse (Main Stage), located at 254 South Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA., 90211., is the first pairing of these two plays. Running Time is 120 minutes Including Intermission.
Tickets are: $35.00 / $15.00 Students (Use Promo Code BHP20)
Tickets also available at OnStage411:
Tickets for A Doll's House:
www.onstage411.com/adh
Tickets for A Doll's House Part 2:
www.onstage411.com/adh2
For information & tickets:
https://www.bhplayhouse.com
or call 310-620-1134.