THE HANGOVER REPORT – Mark O’Rowe’s new version of HEDDA GABLER scintillates at DC’s Studio Theatre

heddagabler1Over at Washington, DC’s Studio Theatre, I recently caught a full throttle revival of Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler in a scintillating new version by Irish playwright Mark O’Rowe. Mr. O’Rowe’s work stands out by being accessible and contemporary yet completely faithful to the spirit of Ibsen’s underlying play.

Director Matt Torney, who has steadily become one of the most reliable and insightful directors working in the DC theater scene, stylishly directs – thanks in part to Luciana Stecconi’s clean designs – with a confident hand. As with his previous directorial work (Jumpers for Goalposts, The New Electric Ballroom, The Walworth Farce), Mr. Torney has proven yet again with this Hedda Gabler that he has a natural knack for unlocking charged European dramas.

You’ll either love or hate Julia Coffey’s bold and brash acting choices in the title role. Her Hedda is a monstrous creation from the get-go, and Ms. Coffey never lets her foot off the pedal. It’s quite an extreme piece of acting and, in my book, it’s exciting to behold. Indeed, many times her histrionics veers ever so closely to campy and over-the-top territory – but thrillingly never crosses that threshold. The rest of the cast is equally exceptional. As the men in Hedda’s life, Avery Clark is endearing as the clueless Jorge Tesman, Michael Early makes for a deathly poker-faced Judge Brack, and Shane Kenyon oozes sensuality as the angst-driven Ejert Lovborg.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

 

HEDDA GABLER
Regional, Play
Studio Theatre (Washington, DC)
2 hours, 20 minutes (with one intermission)
Through June 19

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

Leave a Reply