Director Brian Farnham has taken great pains to elevate this classic script above the “conference call” look of its Zoom recording method. Five different locations were set up to represent different areas of the same room; with real “blocking” despite these limited spaces. Some set pieces, notably the Christmas tree, was two different trees, painstakingly united by moving the computer/cameras to line up the popcorn strands. This set-matching and also clever sharing/duplicating of props resulted in an amazing simulation of sharing the same room.
In the talkback, many lauded Matt Ottinger’s editing and technical magic. His “sepia” tone evened out the look of the different locations, and added a period feel. Kudos to actors’ self-hair styling and Amanda Macomber's period costumes. Amanda Tollstam’s tarantella choreography gave Rachel another chance to shine - and gave us the treat of seeing actual feet touching our much-missed stage at Riverwalk, where that scene only was taped. Thanks to Angie Schwab for the music.
Rachel Daugherty was exceptional as Nora, the wife chafing at her expected role in this groundbreaking feminist play. She reveals many layers as she exploring the process of acquiring personal agency. Though it was written in 1879, Henrik Ibsen raised issues that are still relevant, today.
The whole cast provided great support for Rachel: Jace Harper as husband Tovald, Kate Dickinson as her friend and confidante, Joe Clark as the problematic Krogstadt, Bob Purosky as the charming but doomed Dr. Rank, and Abbie Tykocki as both Helen the maid and Anne the nurse who makes us worry less about the fate of the Helmer children.
A Doll’s House runs an hour and 55 minutes - not the 2 1/2 hours previously estimated - and it feels even shorter, thanks to the creative staging and a great set of actors with very tight pacing, despite the challenge of computer delays.The cast has been rehearsing since October, and their long, hard work has paid off.
FIVE MORE CHANCES to see this show! There are six show dates and times: Fridays/Saturdays 8 pm, Sundays 2 pm. through February 14. You will ONLY be able to watch the show on the day and time for the ticket you purchased.
Tickets are $20 per device (computer, phone, tablet, etc.) plus handling fees.
To learn more and purchase tickets, visit, http://riverwalktheatre.com, and click the “buy tickets” button on the main page under the Doll’s House info — or go direct to the ShowTix4U site: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/45492 Purchase your tickets there and you will get an email with instructions and the link to view the show. Click the link, enter the code on your ticket, wait for the stream to start.