*** The Artistic Home Theatre Company’s mission is to create theatre that explores and celebrates the truth within us. To do this, they produce plays that strike at the core of the inner person and do so with great imagination. Currently, they are presenting a new adaptation  (by Mark O’Rowe) of Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler”. When one looks at the woman that is the base of this story, one can see that the situation facing women has remained constant for well over 100 years , despite “Women’s Rights” being a topic that makes news and headlines.

This new adaptation directed by Monica Payne, takes us deep into the life of a woman, Hedda Gabler, who has just married and is now Hedda Tessman ( played to perfection by Brookelyn Hebert) and is about to face something new, domestic life as a wife and homemaker. Her new husband, Jorge ( deftly handled by Todd Wojcik) is a dullard who cares more about reading books and gaining respect in a high position than anything else. Hedda, who is a very sexy woman and as we see quite a flirt with the gentlemen, is not sure that this is the life she wants, but yet, fears what people will say about her if she should not become the dutiful homemaker.

During the two acts ( 2 & 1/2 hours with one 15 minute intermission) we meet her Aunt Julie ( Lynne Baker), her friend Thea ( Ariana Lopez) , a politician, Judge Brack ( a solid performance by John Mossman) and a writer, Ejiert Lovberg ( a powerful performance by Dan Evashevski). The set ((Kevin Hagan) is very unique as the theater is very narrow, so there are three areas, one behind the other, for the action. The technical aspects of the production are flawless with costumes (Rachel Lambert), sound (Petter Wahlback), lighting (Rachel Levy) and props (Randy Rozier) all working to fit together and keep the flow and story on track.

While this action takes place in the late 1800’s, some of what we see still exists today. There is a lot more to the story(ies) than I have said. The story deals with blackmail, lies, deceit, suicide, and a great deal of emotional stress. This is not a play for everyone, but I firmly believe once you get into the sub stories, you will see the parallels between the past and  the present, and possibly, the future.

“Hedda Gabler” Presented by The Artistic Home, will continue thru March 30th with performances as follows:

Thursdays      7:30pm

Fridays           7:30pm

Saturdays      7:30pm