MARY LOUISE PARKER IS HEDDA GABLER
January 7, 2009
Last night, after a fun day in the city, complete with some shopping at H&M on 5th Ave., which I used to frequent when I lived in midtown Manhattan, I was off to the hustle and bustle of Times Square. There is where I met a dear friend of mine for coffee surrounded by the colorful lights and electrifying energy it projects, a truly perfect combination. All before heading to the Hilton Hotel for dinner stories up at the ultra modern Above restaurant with my parents.
After an oh so classy and very yummy dinner, I headed across 42nd St. to the American Airlines Theatre to see the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of “Hedda Gabler,” starring Mary Louise Parker. This is a show in which I once played Hedda for a scene in one of my theatre classes at UNCG, while working on my BFA degree in Acting. Actually, I had forgotten until the scene started and all the lines came back to me.
It happened to be opening night of previews for the show, and every seat was filled! This was wonderful to see, since the last few productions I have seen on Broadway lacked a full and promising audience, a fact that mirrors the condition of the economy; somewhat hurting at this time.
“Hedda Gabler,” written by famed Norwegian poet and playwright Henrik Ibsen, was first published in 1890 and premiered on stage in Germany in 1891. Although this first run was not successful, with less than shining reviews, when it re-opened in the US on Broadway in 1902, starring Minnie Maddern Fiske, it was a phenomenon.
Although I saw the very first performance of the 2009 production last night, I have a feeling that this new adaptation is going to be just as successful as the Broadway debut of it was 107 years ago. I found Ms. Parker’s leading performance as Hedda, with all her stunning, perfectly tailored costumes, and the show itself, with its use of haunting beats and eerie music throughout, to move at a wonderful pace. All with fine support from the six other unique characters. I highly recommend the somewhat dangerous, shocking, and psychologically driven play to anyone who is in the NYC area or planning a trip there before its final performance on March 29th of this year.
As I left the theatre, after a truly enjoyable experience, I was dropped back into the magic that is Times Square, still very much awake, seeing that it is the city that never sleeps, and I was just as happy as when I’d arrived earlier that evening. It and NYC hold marvelous memories for me, and I always feel so lucky to be able to experience many of them again with the people who mean so much to me.
On my way back home, I stopped by my old apt. area on 55th St., which looked exactly the same making me miss it dearly. That said, no time in my old Hell’s Kitchen stomping ground would be complete without a stop into what used to be my corner deli, the10th Ave. Gourmet, to see the manager and the super fun deli men who always looked out for me during my years in the city, and to pick up my favorite NY deli sandwich: honey ham, honey mustard, and lots of extra brie (which they always throw in just for me), once again.
All in all it was a perfect day in my beloved NYC, getting to spend it with some of the people I hold closest to my heart. There is nothing better, in my book, than fabulous friends and family, wonderful walking, super shopping, calming coffee breaks, classy cocktails, divine dining, and electrifying energy all in marvelous Manhattan!
I’m hopeful you have gotten to enjoy something like this in your life, as well, in whatever form, or will one day soon. I hope some of you will find yourself on 42nd street at the American Airlines Theatre very soon to see the Ibsen classic come to life on stage because Mary Louise Parker is Hedda Gabler!
“It was vivid and bracing when Ibsen did it, and I think it should be all those things now.” – Mary Louise Parker (on “Hedda Gabler” by Henrik Ibsen)
loved reading about your trip back to the great nyc…made me miss it! and i heart Mary Louise Parker–i just think she’s fabulous. last year i played rita in prelude to a kiss and cherie in bus stop, and when i found out that she played both those roles on broadway i was tickled. i also like to pretend that it makes us soulmates in a casting kind of way. :-p
looking forward to reading about your next adventure…you’re a delight!
I haven’t ever met a new yorker who likes times square. All of us avoid it like the plague, it’s a tourist trap.
You must see something I don’t. Sounds like you had a good time though.
You seem to have a very different opinion from 99% of the critics who reviewed this. I plan on seeing it, anyway, but it sounds like a mess.
I too have read all those unfavorable reviews and they are different from the opinion of all those I went to see it with, as well as most of the audience members I saw it with, during opening night of previews, who gave it a standing ovation.
Some don’t like the play itself or Ibsen’s playwriting in general, but I think that for what it is, it was a new take on the play, the costumes were beautiful, and the acting was wonderful. However, I tend to enjoy most theatre, good and bad, for the work I know goes into it from everyone involved.
Hopefully you will enjoy it and it won’t be too much of “a mess” when you see it, but either way, I would love to hear your thoughts and I hope you have fun!
P.S. Rolo Tommasi - You might be right and I guess I do see something different in Times Square. It has always been a place I have loved, especially the energy, and did even when I lived in midtown, but I am on odd cookie!