SM Playreaders Presents “A Doll’s House Part 2”

A Doll’s House, Part 2

The next Playreading is an intriguing 2017 sequel to Henrik Ibsen’s revolutionary and groundbreaking play, A Doll’s House, one of the most significant pieces of drama ever written by its challenge to the status quo of women in the 19th century. As a  major turning point in the history of theater, it’s been called the cornerstone of modern dramatic art. The original 1879 drama portrayed Nora, a typical middle class wife and mother, outwardly happy in her role, but inwardly miserable, because of societal constraints and her husband’s view of her as his doll, not as an equal human being. She was a woman that didn’t fit into the slot that women were allotted then. It has been said that the sound of the door slamming at the end of A Doll’s House was a sound heard around the world. In 2006, the 100th anniversary of Ibsen’s death, it was the most produced play all over the globe. In fact, Ibsen is 2nd after Shakespeare as to number of plays performed.

Now in an equally engaging sequel Nora has come back, 15 years later, having lived a very different, more fulfilling life in the interim. Why has she returned, what does she want, and is she going to stay or leave again? What have been the consequences of her abandonment of her family, her old household? This is all explored as she meets again with her husband, her loyal ex-servant and her daughter, now grown up.

Playwright Lucas Hnath continues Ibsen’s legacy of inquiry into the nature of marriage, truth, and what women owe themselves. Although set in the 1890’s, the play is very much of today, how we continue to grapple with marriage, motherhood and gender roles. Part legal drama, part family drama, it delivers much to discuss afterwards. Marriage vs free agency. Sacrifice vs emancipation. Freedom vs responsibility. The price paid for pursuing our authentic selves. How much has changed, how much is still the same for women, men, families today?

Come to the Playreading February 15th or 16th to enjoy this challenging work. A Doll’s House Part 2 is smart, provocative and kind of sassy, contemporary language included. There are no clear answers to its questions and no clear winners in its debates. But there is definitely an undercurrent of emotion.

Paula Lopuch directs with Susan Rushton as Nora; Steve Garfinkel as Torvald, her husband; Ruth Shlimovitz as Anne Marie, the Nanny and  Rosita Larrain as Emmy, her daughter.

A Doll’s House, Part 2 plays at the Santa Ana theater, Relox 50A

Wednesday, February 15th and Thursday, February 16th

100 pesos donation, tickets sold only at the door

Doors open 5:30 pm, Curtain 6 pm