Classic Drama
May 2-25, 2019
The State Theater
2hrs 40mins
PG
Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 belief that “a woman cannot be herself in modern society” comes to life in a startlingly contemporary way in this modern staging of one of the most celebrated classics of the theatre canon. Nora and Torvald Helmer believe they are happily married and on the brink of a new phase of life. But Nora has a secret. The unraveling of this secret, and Nora’s realization of her own position as a “doll” in her husband’s house was far too controversial for 1879 audiences, but rings harrowingly true – as Nora says – to “hundreds of millions of women” today.
Newly adapted.
Cast & Creative
DirectorAaron Lamb
Aaron Lamb
Aaron is the Producing Artistic Director of Harlequin Productions. As an actor, he has worked in Seattle for Village Theatre, Taproot Theatre, Book-It Repertory Theatre, and Seattle Shakespeare Company, and has worked regionally throughout the country. Aaron was awarded a Seattle Critics (Footlight) Award for his work as Lord Goring in An Ideal Husband at Taproot Theatre, the Memphis Critics (Ostrander) Award for Best Actor as Jerry in The Full Monty at Playhouse on the Square, a Kennedy Center award for Best Actor for his work as Samuel Coleridge in Grasmere, and an OC Weekly Award for his work as Peck in How I Learned to Drive. Aaron holds an MFA in acting from California State University, Fullerton, a BA from Washington State University, and is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association.
Jeannie Beirne is the Resident Scenic Designer for Harlequin Productions. She has also enjoyed working with The Olympia Family Theatre, Saint Martin’s University, and South Puget Sound Community College. In Missouri, she has designed Urinetown and The Music Man with Missouri Western State University, and The Drowsy Chaperone, She Loves Me, and Damn Yankees for Tent Theater. In Arizona, Jeannie designed Mama and Jack Carew and the world premiere of Suocera by Hal Corley at the Theatre Artists Studio and Big Love with Kim Weild at Arizona State University.
Darren Mills is the Resident Costume Designer for Harlequin Productions. Additional regional credits: La Cage Aux Folles and Angels In America (SPSCC), Equivocation (SMU), and Murder Ballad (Sidecountry Theater). NYC hairdressing credits: Broadway: Phantom, Mamma Mia!, The Music Man. Film: The Stepford Wives, War of the Worlds, Lonesome Jim, The Notorious Bettie Page. TV: The Sopranos.
Mark is a local lighting designer based in Tacoma and teaches technical theatre and design at Tacoma School of the Arts and occasionally at the University of Puget Sound, having spent most of the last 20 years as a lighting designer, production manager, and technical director; he also works with Zombie Orpheus Entertainment and much of his film work can be seen on The Fantasy Network. BA in Theatre Production from Bradley University.
Marianna performs around Seattle, and has performed in several Harlequin shows, including as Eve in The Art of Racing in the Rain, Daphne in Present Laughter and Mrs. Linde in A Doll’s House. Before the shutdown, she was playing Julia in an adaptation of 1984 with Radial Theatre Project. She has cut her teeth voice acting with Sandbox Radio Live, Imagination Theater and on various video games. Since receiving her MFA at the University of Washington, Marianna has been coaching individuals in accent modification, public speaking and voice and speech: www.mariannadefazio.com
Favorite roles elsewhere include: the dual roles of Richard Burbage and William Jaggard in The Book of Will (SPSCC), Edmund in King Lear, El Gallo in The Fantasticks (Electric City Theatre), Charlie in The Foreigner, Hines in The Pajama Game (Abbey Players), Kenickie in Grease, Arthur in Camelot (Summer Showcase), Mr. Peachum in The Threepenny Opera (Capital Playhouse), Geppetto in Pinocchio (Olympia Family Theatre) and Shylock in The Merchant of Venice (TAO). Russ is grateful for the opportunities to share stories on stage and looks forward to what lies ahead.
The cast of "A Doll's House" explains the advantages and stumbling blocks inherent in putting on the classic Ibsen drama.
Video by Mighty Tripod Productions
