Northampton Community College Theatre Department have produced a “Hedda Gabler” that is powerful and devastating.
Enthralling performances elevate this updated adaptation of the 19th century Henrik Ibsen classic play that is running through Nov. 24 in the Lab Theater on the school’s Bethlehem Township campus.
The psychological play follows the complicated Hedda played with a cool and clear-eyed detachment by Gabrielle Hondorp. Hondorp’s Hedda is unhappy with everything about her life and feels she trapped in her situation. When she sees an opportunity to take control she seamlessly changes to wheedle and manipulate those around her. Hondorp makes Hedda’s final decision inevitable even as it is shocking. She keeps the keeping the audience wondering if she is crazy or in complete control of what she’s doing.
As her husband George Tesman, Christopher Tempel is infuriatingly nice. Tempel’s George seems to be unaware of Hedda’s aloofness and is kindly and solicitous to her even when she refuses to go with him to see a dying relative. Tempel’s George also is immersed in his work in which Hedda has no interest.
When a former rival of George’s and lover of Hedda’s arrives, it creates jealousy for George and an opportunity to feel alive again for Hedda.
At first, Kyle Frazier’s Eilert Loveborg is focused and composed, only letting his feelings show when he asks Hedda if she ever loved him. He has found a writing companion in Thea, a friend of Hedda’s who has left her husband for him, and Hedda is immediately jealous of Thea’s influence over him.
As Thea, Azelia Dos-Santos is initially hesitant and unsure, but she comes into her own as she takes ownership of her part in the the manuscript on which she and Eilert are working.
Sofia Barbour is warm, without being overbearing, as George’s Aunt Juliana, who tries valiantly to placate Hedda.
Travis Nugent is slightly smarmy as Judge Brack, a worldly friend of George’s, who understands how power operates in society and wants to control Hedda, for his own means.
Rounding out the cast is Maria Gambino as the maid Berte, who is dutiful but whose reactions often show what she is really thinking.
The show, directed with flourish by Clair M. Freeman engages and the time flies by.
Scenic designer Brett Oliveira’s set of Hedda and George’s villa is open and airy with conspicuously blank walls and books littered everywhere.
This adaptation takes place in a more recent time than Ibsen’s original 1891, and there are modern touches. Todd Burkel’s costume design puts the men in suits and all the women, except Hedda, in dresses. Hedda, instead, is casual in jeans and an overshirt, setting her apart from the others.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21, 22 and, 24; and 2 p.m. Nov. 23 in the Lab Theater, Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem Township.
For information, call 484-484-3412, or go to www.ncctix.org/.