Resolving Hedda
Description
Ibsen's characters from HEDDA GABLER, who know the play insanely well after centuries of performances, try desperately to keep the play afloat. At the same time Hedda, just as desperately, tries to sabotage the plot in order to avoid her demise. The misadventures that ensue continue to raise the stakes of hilarity to a fevered pitch. And if Hedda succeeds in her quest to live, will this classic theatrical work ever be performed again?
Production Info
Full Length Comedy (about 140 minutes)
Single Set
Period Costumes
Press Quotes
“Henrik Ibsen’s violent tragic heroine Hedda Gabler has always had impulse control disorder, and now in Jon Klein’s modern knockoff, RESOLVING HEDDA, the newly snarky, anachronistically hip Hedda self-diagnoses as she triesโfor onceโto actually live through the end of the 1891 play โฆ Klein has splendid tricks up his sleeve.” โNelson Pressley, Washington Post
“Critics’ Choice! Hedda is winning audience after audience to her side in Jon Klein’s boisterous new comedy, RESOLVING HEDDA, at the Victory Theatre โฆ Klein, the author of such previous Victory hits as T BONE N WEASEL and WISHING WELL, delivers laughs at a steady pace.” โLA Times
“Klein maneuvers his story with great skill. Hedda, the only character able to step out of the play and into the 21st century, contrasts comically with the others who continue to follow Ibsen’s commands โฆ Klein’s quick-witted writing elicits a steady stream of laughter. You don’t have to know the original HEDDA GABLER to revel in this take-off, but if you have seen an original version, you may enjoy it even more.” โAmy Kotkin, DC Metro Arts
“Fans of metatheatricality will adore Klein’s script, complete with anachronism, inside jokes, fourth wall breaks, and audience interaction. This new, feisty Hedda, who tries fiercely to break free from her pre-ordained path, is the self-confident feminist protagonist that will have contemporary audiences cheering โฆ While watching RESOLVING HEDDA, youโll likely find yourself more engaged in a period piece than youโve ever been beforeโand glued to your seat until the final defiant moment.” โJohn Bavaso, DC Theatre Scene
“It’s fun โฆ the play is more approachable for general audiences than VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE, which sends up Chekhov’s works โฆ the writing becomes the true star of the show. The comedy is sharp, with contemporary references.” โKatie Buenneke, Stage Raw
“RESOLVING HEDDA is no fusty graduate student’s deconstruction of the play. It’s really more like HEDDA GABLER meets NOISES OFF โฆ Like all the best satirists, Klein obviously understands and appreciates the source material. The laughs are plentiful and varied. There is the ongoing joke of the renegade character, but also commentary on the theatre, modern culture, and female empowerment. Klein manages the difficult feat of keeping the laughs coming consistently through both acts.” โMichael Van Duzer, ShowMag.com
“It’s all totally fascinating โฆ The writing is terrific and the playwright Jon Klein โฆ has taken what is familiar and classic and iconic and turned it completely on its head in the most creative, transfixing and delightful way โฆ I cannot recommend RESOLVING HEDDA enough. If you have a soul, you should see this play.” โSamantha Simmonds-Ronceros, NoHo Arts District
“Critics’ Choice! Along with the entire audience I laughed until I cried โฆ and marveled at the stellar performances given throughout! Do not miss this one. It is a gem! Cleverly written with zany brilliance by Jon Klein โฆ It is truly special and endlessly entertaining!” โPat Taylor, The Tolucan Times
“Critics’ Choice! One must witness this enjoyable production to fully experience Klein’s masterful homage.” โDink O’Neal, Arts in LA
“Henrik and Hedda, a hilarious pair โฆ Its author is the brilliantly clever and witty Jon Klein and its director is the inimitable Maria Gobetti, who makes the most of Klein’s hilarious script.” โCynthia Citron, Santa Monica Daily Press
“If you really want to have a laugh-out-loud evening in the theatre, RESOLVING HEDDA is the show for you. I am sure even Ibsen would be chuckling.” โRob Stevens, Haines His Way
Author
Jon KleinJon Klein is the author of over thirty produced plays, produced Off-Broadway and at many prestigious regional theatres, including Actors Theatre of Louisville, Arena Stage in D.C., Arden Theatre in Philadelphia, Center Stage in Baltimore, South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Alley Theatre in Houston, A Contemporary Theatre in Seattle, Seattle Children's Theatre, and many others. He is probably best known for his play T BONE N WEASEL, which has received over a hundred productions at regional theatres throughout the US, and which he adapted for a TNT Network film, starring Gregory Hines and Christopher Lloyd. T BONE N WEASEL received several awards after its premiere at the Humana Festival at Actors Theatre of Louisville, including an HBO Playwrights USA Award. Jon is also the author of the only authorized stage adaptation of the famous children's book BUNNICULA by James and Deborah Howe, which has received over a hundred productions in the US and Canada, including a national tour. The critically acclaimed (and Helen Hayes nominated) YOUNG ROBIN HOOD recently received its world premiere at the Roundhouse Theatre in Bethesda, MD. DIMLY PERCEIVED THREATS TO THE SYSTEM (finalist for the American Theatre Critics' Association Award, at Arena Stage, South Coast Rep and many others) and BETTY THE YETI (another entry at the Humana Festival in Louisville) also continue to be frequently produced. Two recent plays, SUGGESTIBILITY and WISHING WELL, recently premiered at the Victory Theatre in Burbank. Other plays that have received major productions around the country include OCTOPUS (Contemporary American Theatre Festival, WV), PEORIA (Woolly Mammoth Theatre, DC), SOUTHERN CROSS (Alliance Theatre, Atlanta), THE EINSTEIN PROJECT (co-authored with Paul D'Andrea, at Berkshire Theatre Festival, Stockbridge), FOUR OUR FATHERS (A Contemporary Theatre, Seattle), THE RED AND THE BLACK (adaptation of the Stendhal novel, also at A Contemporary Theatre), and LOSING IT (winner of the Dramatists Guild/CBS New Play Award, Off-Broadway and at Wisdom Bridge Theatre, Chicago). Jon is married to Laura Annawyn Shamas, playwright, essayist and mythologist.
Book Information
| Publisher | BPPI |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 11/9/2018 |
| Pages | 104 |
| ISBN | 9780881457957 |
Special Notes
by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc, NYC
www.broadwayplaypublishing.com
Production Video and Stills
