HEDDA GABLER Closes at Theatre Memphis Tonight

The Henrik Ibsen classic Hedda Gabler will be presented in the Next Stage at Theatre Memphis April 6 through tonight, April 22, 2012. The plot deals with an aristocratic daughter, Hedda Gabler, who has returned from her honeymoon with Jorgen Tesman, an aspiring young academic.

It becomes clear that she married Tesman as a matter of course and their presumed happiness is placed in disarray with the appearance of her husband’s academic rival. Her choices and actions lead to conflict with the highest consequences.

Often referred to in literary circles as the “female Hamlet,” Hedda is considered one of the greatest dramatic roles in theatre. Though the play has been dubbed classic realism of the nineteenth century Hedda Gabler is often considered a groundbreaking play about the limited choices of women in the late 1890’s. Hedda’s persona has been portrayed as heroine and villain, depending on the interpretation. Director Bo List says, “One of the great things about the character of Hedda is that she isn't easily pegged as hero orvillain, having qualities of both. There are noble traits to her, but there are also very devious, manipulative traits as well. Written at a time when melodrama was the norm - and, with it, easily understood and simply drawn characters - Hedda stands out as a complicated protagonist not easily comprehended by her fellow characters or audiences. Our Hedda, Meghan Lisi, is classically trained and would make an excellent Hamlet in her own right. She is, therefore, an imminently qualified and compelling Hedda!” Lisi recently portrayed Gwendolen Fairfax in the Theatre Memphis production of The Importance of Being Earnest and Lady Anne in Richard III.

Debbie Litch, Theatre Memphis Executive Producer, claims a play like Hedda Gabler is necessary to be included in a Theatre Memphis season selection. She says, “Producing a classic piece of literature in our intimate Next Stage is what really excites our artistic community. Though the general public may not be as familiar with an Ibsen piece of work as they are with our larger, flashier musicals on the Lohrey Stage, something like Hedda Gabler really fills a need that the actors in our community love to feed off of from time to time. We are nothing at Theatre Memphis without our volunteer actors and crew and we always want to include something in our season that will nourish their artistic souls.” The entire Hedda Gabler cast at Theatre Memphis includes Meghan Lisa, John Maness, Martha Graber, Aliza Moran, Bill Andrews, Justin Asher and Louise Levin.

Hedda Gabler

Written by Henrik Ibsen

Directed by Bo List

April 6 - 22, 2012

Thursdays @ 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays @ 8pm, Sundays at 2pm

Tickets are $23 for adults, $10 for students with a valid ID. Call 901.682.8323 to purchase tickets or go online towww.theatrememphis.org.  

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