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Axial's Exciting Version of Ibsen Classic
A Doll's House
Plays Nov. 6-22
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Axial Audiences Will Sit
Inside
A Doll's House
The principals in Axial Theatre's A Doll's House are (from left) Carlos Dengler (formerly of indie rock band Interpol) as Nils Krogstad, Sophie Sorensen as Christine, Laura Credidio as title character Nora Helmer, Dan Walworth as her husband Torvald. Photo credit: Leslye Smith
A bold retelling of Henrik Ibsen's timeless classic,
A Doll's House
, will open Axial Theatre's 2015-2016 season on Friday, Nov. 6 with an opening night event on Saturday, November 7. It runs through Nov. 22.
Directed by Howard Meyer, Axial Founding Artistic Director, it stars Laura Credidio in the iconic role of Nora and Dan Walworth as her controlling spouse Torvald.
A seminal masterwork that many say established the Norwegian playwright as the father of modern realist drama, the play had a profound influence both on both theatre and society when it debuted in 1879. It presents the radical transformation of an oppressed wife, Nora,
who defiantly declares her independence from a narcissistic husband, Torvald, after years of being treated as a mindless plaything.
With a full preview performance on Friday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. and Saturday's opening night with reception,
A Doll's House
will take the stage 12 times for three consecutive weekends at St. John's Episcopal Church, 8 Sunnyside Ave, Pleasantville, N.Y. 10570.
What makes the Axial production of
A Doll's House more relevant than ever is an updated vision that places the Helmers -- Nora and Torvald -- in the 1950s. With America at war in the 1940s, women stepped into the men's world to staff factories and offices.
A decade later, as peacetime negated the need for that role reversal, women returned to their traditional role of housewife. Not so fast, says Ibsen's Nora, who rises up to defy her domineering husband. She emerges as a rebellious role model who foreshadows the women's liberation movement of the 1960s and beyond
.
The unique performing space, which is more intimate than proscenium stages, places the audience virtually inside the home of the principal characters, Nora and Torvald Helmer.
The setting, in contrast to the original time and place of 19th Century Europe, reflects a 20th Century American sensibility.
It also might be the first time a production of the play has a rock musician in the cast. Carlos Denger, formerly guitarist with indie rock band Interpol, plays Nils Krogstad, the scheming nemesis of Torvald.
Audiences will find themselves in this
Doll's House
when they enter the performance space. The center aisle will serve as a hallway for the characters to an unseen part of the Helmer house, creating the sensation the audience is sitting inside the couple's home.
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Who's Who at
 Director Howard Meyer is a playwright, founding Artistic Director of Axial Theatre and Howard Meyer's Acting Program, now in its 22nd year offering acting classes and presenting plays in Westchester County. He was one of 50 artists honored in ArtsWestchester's 50th anniversary celebration in 2015.
Laura Credidio
(
Nora Helmer
) has been with Axial Theater Company since 2008 and last appeared on the Axial stage in Clifford Odets' Awake and Sing. In 2011, she directed Taking Off, featuring plays by Ward Riley and Linda Guiliano. She is an alumna of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab. A native of Somers, she now lives in Brooklyn.
Dan Walworth
(Torvald Helmer), of South Salem, was in the cast of Axial's The Seagull last year. He is a member of Axial Theatre Company.
Carlos Dengler will appear in the role of
Nils Krogstad, who becomes a nemesis of Nora's husband. Dengler was an original member of popular New York City i
ndie rock band Interpol, which he left in 2010 to pursue an acting career.
Gail Greenstein of Katonah, also an Axial Company member, is cast as
Anne Marie, the housekeeper. She last appeared in Axial's Dead Man's Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl.
Axial Ensemble members
Albi Gorn and
Michael Boyle each will play Dr. Rank in different performan
ces. Sophie Sorensen appears as Christine Linde. The Helmer children are played by Carly Waldman, as Emmy, and Dane Beels, as Ivor.
Jaki Silver, managing director of Axial Theatre, serves as the show's production manager.
Michael Witkes is assistant director.
Stage manager is
Benjamin Vigil.
Choreographer is
Stephanie Card.
Costume designers are
Gentry Farley and
Tristan Raines.
Duane Rutter is technical director.
Christina Watanabe is lighting designer and set designer.
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WHEN TO VISIT
A DOLL'S HOUSE
CURTAIN DATES & TIMES
Friday curtain time is 8 p.m. Nov. 6, 13, 20
Saturday curtain times are 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Nov. 7, 14, 21
Sunday curtain time is 3 p.m. Nov. 8, 15, 22
TICKET PRICES
* $27.50 General Admission
$22.50 Students & Seniors
THEATER LOCATION
St. John's Episcopal Church
8 Sunnyside Ave
Pleasantville, N.Y. 10570
(914) 286-7680
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Enjoy Savings When you See A Doll's House with a Theater Party
Meet Nora Helmer, a historic figure in the theater who is a forerunner of
Facebook CEO Sheryl Sandberg, NFL coach Jen Welter, presidential aspirants Carly Fiorina and Hillary Clinton, and every other high-performing female who is every inch the equal of her male counterparts-and then some.
Nora is the center of gravity in Henrik Ibsen's immortal A Doll's House.
The classic work depicts the indomitable power of women to overcome obstacles put in place by an oppressive society waiting to wake up to a new reality. The timeless tale has been reborn by Axial Theatre as a modern morality play set in the 1950s.
Axial Theatre is offering generous ticket discounts to local organizations that have a special interest in this theme, and in taking advantage of exciting, affordable theater in your backyard.
Axial even can arrange a post-performance discussion or meet-and-greet for your group.
Here are a few of our attractively-priced packages created expressly for your benefit or for fundraising purposes:
- Five or more playgoers who use your group code will pay $22.50 per ticket, compared with the general admission price of $27.50, a savings of 18%.
- Ten or more playgoers who use your group code will pay $20 each, a savings per ticket of $7.50, or 27% off the general admission price.
- Please feel free to contact us directly for groups of 15 or more. We are happy to arrange for your group of that size or larger a meet-and-greet with cast after the show, and other custom amenities you may want to suggest.
- For groups of 20 or larger we can arrange a lower wholesale ticket price that allows you to sell the tickets at face value as a fundraiser.
Please feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience. We are eager to discuss how Axial can accommodate your special group for an entertaining and memorable professional theater experience conveniently close to home.
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