Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Arts and Lifestyle
  •  

Review: New Adaptation Of Ibsen's Classic 'Doll's House' Delivers

  •  Jeff Hudson 
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
  

When the lights come up for this show’s first scene, there’s a glimmering  Christmas tree onstage. And the opening lines are about shopping.

Nora: Come in here, Thomas, I want to show you what I bought.

Thomas: What did you buy? More gifts? That’s my little spendthrift, throwing away money again.

Nora: Yes, but this year we can let ourselves go a little, can’t we? We don’t have to be quite so careful…

Thomas: Still, we can’t be reckless…

But don’t be fooled by this idyllic introduction. This husband constantly belittles his wife – dismissing her as “helpless” or “my little kitten.” The irony is that when he came home shell-shocked from World War II, she was the one who pulled him out of his almost catatonic funk by dragging him to exotic Havana, where he gradually recovered. To pay for the trip, she quietly borrowed a large sum from a dubious individual.

She never told her husband. But now the debt is due, and the lender is making demands. The wife finally confides in a friend, sort of.

Nora: When you pay off your debt, you get your bond back, right?

Christine: Yes, generally.

Nora: And you can tear it to a hundred thousand pieces, burn it as if it never existed.

Christine: Nora, there is something you’re not telling me.

Nora: (pause). I don’t know what you mean.

Being honest and truthful – even with yourself – is very difficult for everyone in this play. And when everything comes out in the volcanic finale, we witness the terrifying vision of a marriage shattering before our eyes.

Thomas: Petty. You think I’m petty?

Nora: No, I don’t. Just the opposite.

Thomas: You think it’s petty of me not to want a daily reminder of… No. I’m going to put an end of this right now.

Nora: What are you going to do?

Thomas: Settle it.

Actress Brittni Barger gives a powerful performance as the increasingly desperate wife, who famously declares her independence at the end. And director Janis Stevens skillfully escalates the growing nervous tension to a fever pitch. In this new adaptation, the characters in this venerable play remind you all too much of folks you’ve seen in real life, today. 

The Capital Stage production of “A Doll’s House” continues through November 22.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

Jeff Hudson

Contributing Arts Reporter and Theatre Critic

Jeff Hudson has been contributing arts-related stories to Capital Public Radio since 1995, with an emphasis on theater and classical music. He attends over 100 performances annually, ranging from modern musicals to medieval masses.   Read Full Bio 

 Email Jeff Hudson

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Arts and Lifestyle Stories

Courtesy of Author

Vanessa Hua: "Forbidden City"

June 29, 2022

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Homeless Sacramento residents could face misdemeanor for blocking sidewalks under city proposal

California coronavirus updates: COVID-19 cases are increasing globally

Composting starts soon in Sacramento County. Here’s what you need to know.

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Homeless Sacramento residents could face misdemeanor for blocking sidewalks under city proposal

California coronavirus updates: COVID-19 cases are increasing globally

Composting starts soon in Sacramento County. Here’s what you need to know.

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.