A Gripping 'Hedda Gabler' At Writers Theatre
By Melody Udell in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 4, 2014 7:30PM
Writers Theatre's production of Hedda Gabler.
The moment that Hedda Gabler stalks impatiently onstage, it’s obvious this production of Hedda Gabler belongs to Kate Fry. While there was never any doubt Fry had the chops to play Henrik Ibsen’s most infamous female character, after opening night, it was clear: Fry perfectly embodies the cruel, destructive socialite whose true nature has invited endless speculation since the play was first produced in 1891. It’s a wholly absorbing performance, and together with a standout cast and smart direction from Kimberly Senior, Writers Theatre’s staging of Hedda Gabler is an engrossing retelling of this notorious Ibsen play.
This version of Hedda isn’t just a bored housewife who begrudges her own marriage, her own house, her own life—Fry fully embraces her character’s petulance and social rigidity, but somehow, she isn't entirely unsympathetic. As a well-to-do general’s daughter, the beautiful Hedda can no longer, it seems, play games with her suitors’ hearts. Societal pressure and a desire for security led her to marrying the town academic, Jorgen Tesman (a daffy Sean Fortunato)—much to his surprise. They’ve barely returned from a six-month honeymoon abroad and already Hedda can’t help herself from insulting Tesman’s loving aunt (Barbara Figgins), while her sweet husband seemingly looks the other way. Hedda shudders at the thought of motherhood and her only amusement lies in meddling in others’ lives and practicing her shot with General Gabler’s gleaming .42 caliber revolver.
Much of the show’s energy comes from the supporting cast—all various frenemies with unclear motives. The nervous Thea Elvsted, played by the winning Chaon Cross, is the most transparent of the group, and even she has secrets to hide. Having left her husband for the town’s other long-suffering, brilliant academic, Eilert Lovborg (Mark L. Montgomery), Thea is looking to rebuild her life. But her mistake was going through Hedda to do it. Fry and Cross play women with such opposing personalities and social dogmas, it’s hard to imagine a more well-cast duo. And then there’s Judge Brack (Scott Parkinson), the slippery friend who wants a controlling stake in Hedda’s happiness (or unhappiness). Hedda sees this cast of characters—who no doubt bore her otherwise—as potential playthings. Her one desire is to control someone else’s fate, despite the fact that by giving in to marriage and suffering under the cloak of domesticity, she can’t really control her own. In the moment, at least.
As the social upheaval continues to escalate, Hedda changes tactics; she's no longer interested in mere bullying. Now, her fixation is on the beauty and elegance of death. And even if you're familiar with the final play's final moments, Hedda's truly unhinged decisions still illicit shock from the audience.
Despite the show's penchant for despair, Senior's refreshing production is rather funny—the Writers Theatre cast knows how to draw out the bits of humor embedded within Ibsen’s otherwise gloomy play.
The show runs through Sunday, March 16 at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct., Glencoe, tickets via 847-242-6000 or online.