Though edited up to a more contemporary script, the costumes and setting were contemporary with Ibsen's original era. The set was simple with one surprise. In the final seen with Nora leaves Torvald and their home she slams the over-sized door and when she does, the elaborate floor to ceiling curtains that flank of arch over the doorway drop! Suddenly what was the interior of the doll's house becomes its exterior and Nora, looking defiant prepared to step off of the stoop into her new life.Everyman is a repertory company with a deep bench of actors numbering about 20. In this six-member cast, all but one are company members, and four are founding members. Helen Hedman as Anne the household maid can make a wordless walk on shine like polished brass, and likewise, Bruce Randolph Nelson as Dr. Rank is one of the finest character actor's in the troupe.
The leads were taken by Megan Anderson as Nora and Danny Gavigan as Torvald. The very first play I ever saw at Everyman was "A Streetcar Named Desire". Megan played Stella and Danny was Stanley. Since then both at Everyman, and across other regional theatre companies I seen them perform nearly two dozen times. What I've come to see is that their trajectories as actors are moving in opposite directions. Megan is the faithful, can count on to present a role. It may not be engaging, but it's solid. You know what to expect. You get Megan. Danny on the other hand is becoming more and more interesting. You don't know what to expect. You can still count on an solid performance, but you won't see Danny--or at least, the same Danny from one character to the next. His posture, his mannerisms, the timbre and presentation of his voice will be different. You can have great confidence in Megan, but Danny? You expect something new, something special. Tonight, Torvald was the standout character of the production.
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