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A Dolls House.

Modern Ibsen

By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).Published about a year ago 3 min read
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"A Dolls House".

An Empty House'

By Robert Massimi.

In what is a bare minimalist set, before the show the year 1879 was projected on the stages backdrop.This ended up being very odd because this Ibsen rendition was very modern. I would think that in Amy Herzog's adaptation, she would try to take the bygone era out of the equation. Equally confusing is the direction of Jamie Lloyd. As a modern "Dolls House", we get only a bare stage with a turntable set. Characters are spun to the forefront as they address the audience. For the most part the actors are sitting throughout the 1 hour 50 minute intermission less production.

For the modern theater lover, this production is welcoming. It has two terrific actors in Nora (Jessica Chastain ,"Molly's Game") and Torvald (Arian Moayed "Succession"). The dress is modern (Enver Chakartash and Soutra Gilmour) as is the vernacular throughout. The sound design is hip (Ben and Max Ringham) and the lighting is in the noir genre. The actors are brought into the modern age and Herzog captures that very well.

In the strict sense of classic theater, this "Dolls House" has some flaws. The bare stage with only exposed pipes and black and white walls leaves the audience wondering where the play stands at all times during the performance.With no scenery, many times we are perplexed by where the actors are staged and at what period of the play they are staged in. Furthering the difficulty is the lighting design by Jon Clark; he drops the lights so low half way through the performance that coupled with the low tone of the actors makes it difficult at times to stay awake.

As Nora, Jessica Chastain puts on a great performance; she resonates and captures the pain of a young woman who is strong and protective. While Arian Moayed is very good on stage, his Torvald has changed dramatically from the original book. He is to sensitive, too indecisive and appears weaker than the original book by Ibsen. The other major difference from this play and the book is how Dr. Rank (Michael Patrick Thornton) was portrayed. The Dr. in the book was much more forceful, the love of Nora went way beyond what Herzog would have the audience believe in this production.

At the Hudson Theatre one thing is for certain, this rendition of "A Dolls House "will either be a loved or a hated depending on if you like more modern theater or more traditional performances.

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Post review.

For some reason I am short the 600 words and need to fill up the page more. This 600 word count can be cumbersome at times because not all reviews are lengthy.

If a show is short in length or character, it is difficult to get the six hundred words. In my second review of America, I had to combine the two reviews; the second review gave me the six hundred words to complete on vocal media. Vocal demands six hundred words so I am just going on right now to fill up the six hundred words.

Six Hundred words is never easy when shows are shorter, cast is limited.

Robert Massimi, Metropolitan Magazine, www.swmnimbus.org, www.triviscompanies.com, Nimbus Magazine, Fashion Manuscript, Mann About Town Magazine, www.gimmeshelterproductions.com, Dramatists Guild, "A Life In The Rye", "The Gathering", Cort Theatre, "Swingtime Canteen", The Blue Angel Theatre, Metropolitan Playhouse, "An American Clock", "The Madwoman of Chillot", www.nypost.com, www.nytimes.com, America.

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About the Creator

Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).

I have been writing on theater since 1982. A graduate from Manhattan College B.S. A member of Alpha Sigma Lambda, which recognizes excellence in both English and Science. I have produced 14 shows on and off Broadway. I've seen over700 shows

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