Now playing at The Classic Theatre is ‘A Doll’s House’ by Henrik Ibsen.  It is a three-act play written in 1879 and is noted for the way it deals with the fate of a married woman and reflects the lack of opportunities women had for self-fulfillment in a male-dominated world. Directed by Kelly Roush, it stars Kacey Roye, Nick Lawson, Christina Casella, Zach Lewis and John Boyd.  The Classic Theatre’s production is set in 1950s America and has a Mad Men flair. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. and it runs until Sunday November 26, 2017. Tickets range from $17 to $32 and are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 589-8450.

The story in ‘A Doll’s House’ takes place in the span of three acts at the Helmer’s home on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after Christmas. It opens as Nora Helmer, the wife, comes home after a day of Christmas shopping. Her husband Torvald teases her about how much money she spent but she feels that since he is due for a big promotion at work, they can afford to splurge. When Kristine, an old friend of Nora’s shows up to ask for a favor, Nora confides in her that things have not been easy on them because Torvald had recently been sick and they had to travel to Italy for treatment. That treatment did not come cheap, so she secretly took out a loan and has had to scrounge money to repay it. This decision comes back to haunt her when Nils, the man who lent her the money, shows up to blackmail her since she forged her father’s name to secure the loan.

Even though Henrik Ibsen wrote this play in the late 1800s, the themes of gender roles and stereotypes make it a timeless classic. The 1950s is the perfect setting for a story about a woman’s journey from a compliant wife to a confident woman. Nick Lawson’s spot-on portrayal of the hardened Torvald occasionally hits a nerve while Kacey Roye, as Nora, expertly handles her character’s tumultuous relationship with Torvald. The combination of setting and costumes transport the audience to a long-ago era where gender roles were beginning to change. It is sure to have audiences talking long after the show ends.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
1924 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 589-8450