6/5/2016 BWW Review: Antaeus Appropriately Goes Out With a Bang With a Strong HEDDA GABLER http://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/BWW-Review-Antaeus-Appropriately-Goes-Out-With-a-Bang-With-a-Strong-HEDDA-GABLER-20160603 1/4 ⌂ UNITED STATES ⚏ THE WORLD TV/FILM & MORE LOS ANGELES SHOWS DISCOUNTS TONY AWARDS Log In Register Now SECTIONS SHOWS CHAT BOARDS JOBS STUDENTS VIDEOS Search Stars & Show June 3 6:44 AM 2016 : Print Article Y Email Link by Gil Kaan Tweet BWW Review: Antaeus Appropriately Goes Out With a Bang With a Strong HEDDA GABLER HEDDA GABLER/by Henrik Ibsen/adapted by Andrew Upton/directed by Steven Robman/Antaeus Theater/thru July 17, 2016 Steven Robman's strong hand at briskly directing his very talented ensemble at a snappy pace makes this updated 19th century classic whizz by in its two-hour- and-twenty-minute length. Victorian values seem right at home in the modernization/adaptation of Antaeus' production of HEDDA GABLER, a drawing room concoction of misdirected/misguided affections/attractions/lusts. The only 'value' outdated (and not updated) would be the comment of showing of too much ankle from the women. (Hedda shows off her legs and bare shoulders.) Who knew Hedda Gabler was such a BITCH! As beautifully limned by Jaimi Paige, her Hedda's the original Mean Girl. A bully in high school, she threatened to chop off the beautiful, long blonde locks of her classmate Thea. Alluded to a then life- or-death incident between Hedda and Lovberg, each (in present day) wishes the fatal shot had been taken. At the appropriate age to wed, Hedda allows herself to marry - not for love or passion - Tesman, an ambitious historian/professor who promises her everything she wants (except for excitement and danger). Hedda disparages Tesman's Aunt Julle's new hat and consistently berates the family maid Berte. Hedda manipulates everyone she comes in contact with whether they know it or not. A more horrid, despicable character you'll never find again, hopefully. A Night At the Black Cat Cabaret Edgemarcenter for the Arts (Runs 5/27 - 8/6) VIDEOS Oedipus-Antigone Archway Theatre (Runs 5/13 - 6/18) CAST Jack Stein Presents An Evening with Clint Holmes & Domenick Allen Colony Theatre (Runs 6/17 - 6/17) 175 Like Share BROADWAYWORLD TV LOS ANGELES SHOWS Tony Awards Close-Up: It Must Be Nice! HAMILTON's Daveed Diggs Can't Stop Smiling About His Nomination
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6/5/2016 BWW Review: Antaeus Appropriately Goes Out With a Bang With a Strong HEDDA GABLER
HEDDA GABLER begins with the newlyweds' return fromtheir five-month honeymoon to their dream house bought,way beyond Tesman's current financial means. AdrianLaTourelle totally inhabits Tesman, the fawning, so-in-love,new husband who has yet to secure the professorship at alocal teaching institution. LaTourelle convincingly exhibitsTesman's enthusiam, his overwhelmed nervous energy, hiseagerness to please any and all of Hedda's whims, and hisgrowing realization that Hedda's a lot more to handle thanhe thought.
Readying the newly acquired home, the family maid Berteand Tesman's Aunt Julle prep the final details beforerealizing the Tesmans had already arrived during the night.Amelia White's perfectly matronly as the doting aunt whileElizabeth Dennehy shines as the oh-so-efficient Berte.
Ann Noble embodies the naiveté and total innocence of Thea, the much younger wife of thetown magistrate. Originally the nanny to the magistrate's children, he conveniently (for him)marries her after his wife died. Needing a tutor for the children, the magistrate takes a live-inwriter/teacher Lovborg. In her 'spare' time, Thea helps Lovborg in creating his manuscript whilefalling in (what she thought was) mutual love. Daniel Blinkoff's a wonderful mess as Lovborg -
part genius, part alcoholic. Blinkoff's involved in a cleverreveal at the end of Act One. Two other very inspiredtouches include Berte the maid handling the propsrepositioning between scenes, and the final 'stage device' atthe end. Three very memorable theatrical moments.
The charismatic and intriguing Tony Amendola commandsthe stage as the duplicitous Judge Brack, Tesman's comradeand probable reference for/entré to his desiredprofessorship. His interactions with Hedda initially appearon even footing; but like a seesaw, one's advantage towers orfalls below the other, and reverses. With Hedda and Brackbeing two 'villains,' who do you root for? Paige andAmendola make it a pleasure to keep switching sides.
In Antaeus tradition of double casting; one set of actorscomprise the " The Generals" cast, another set the "The Pistols," and a combination from bothform "The Fjords." This wonderful cast being reviewed: The Generals.
Kudos to scenic designer Se Hyun Oh forhis country home (possibly Victorian) livingroom set with lots of flowing drapes and awindow back-lit by Leigh Allen. Costumedesigner Leah Piehl keeps all thecharacter's clothing in the same Victorian-esque period except for the shoulder andleg-baring shift that Hedda predominatelywears.
Nice fitting punctuation as Antaeus' finalproduction at their current Lankershim location before moving to their new Glendale home.
www.Antaeus.org
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