Hedda

See it if you like deconstructions of classic theater texts.

Don't see it if you want the original "Hedda Gabler," or a full play with fully live characters.

Also I admire what I think this "Hedda" is trying to do, but it doesn’t fully accomplish it. Things feel most vital at the beginning & the end when the solo performer for the Gabler plot (Sarah Jo Provost) has a production assistant she interacts with. Here the play plays around with the fact that it’s a play. Rather than feeling like a dry exercise, this meta-theatricality provides the night’s most human bits. The parts in between, the original story, stripped to the bone, and presented by a solo performer interacting with "puppets", don’t always sparkle in this telling. Here "puppet" can be any animated object, from a Barbie doll to a pair of glasses. By flashes this “puppetry” is inspiring. But the telling often feels dutiful: a story has to get told. I was grabbed again only at the end when the performer's assistant, physically absent since the kick-off, again helps break open the play's frame for a surprising, deeply human final tableau.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to support a production at the development phase. You enjoy non-traditional stagings of classic plays. You like puppetry.

Don't see it if You want non- traditional choices that help illuminate a classic play. You want Hedda in it's original format. You're not familiar w/Hedda.

Also This felt more like an acting school project than a professional production. If you want to support them, please do. Keep in mind that it's at an early stage of development & needs a lot more work.... Read more Read less

See it if an experimental one woman performance of a classic masterpiece using toys and clothing to represent the characters seems like a good idea.

Don't see it if you lack tolerance for seemingly random performance choices that do not enhance the plot or reveal the characters.

See it if Good Acting, to play is only an hour long and interesting. With puppets and Barbie dolls are used.

Don't see it if You want flash and dancing. It a work in progress.

Also it was confusing a times and it took me awhile to figure out really what was going on but the actress was very good in the way she handled going back and forth between the characters I think she did an excellent job.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to be inspired as a director. There are some really interesting choices made in the staging of this show. You enjoy sock puppets.

Don't see it if You dislike frame narratives or an excess of artifice. Dislike one-person shows. (it's technically a two-hander for brief moments)

Also "I want for once in my life to have power to mold a human destiny." -Hedda

Lamanna's adaptation of Hedda uses an intriguing and playful frame narrative to hone in on this discovering one's own power.

Here Hedda is an adolescent, brimming over with youthful restlessness. Her character's actions actually seem to make more sense in the context of an adolescent's play-acting.

Sarah Jo Provost gives a sharp, and often delightfully devious, performance as Hedda and, well, everyone else.

The set design, drawings included,

The play though, and I do feel this could be improved upon by more involved sound design, seems to stumble in transitions. And there are many of them, some quite awkward.

SPOILER ALERT
I also personally feel the frame narrative could have been even more effective with a little more explanation as to why these characters are seemingly in this narrative loop, and the motivation for it beginning.

But there is much to love and take inspiration from as an artist.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a hard-core Ibsen/Hedda fan into seeing all interpretations.

Don't see it if you expect a production with fully realized characters and portrayals, don't like one-woman shows, not a fan of fringe theatre.

See it if you like amateur shows, you like self-indulgent performance art, you like sock puppets, you enjoy the idea of Ibsen screaming from the grave

Don't see it if you value theater, you hate to see classics trashed, you value your time,

See it if You already know the story of Hedda and want to see it in a totally unique one woman production

Don't see it if You want a fully fleshed production, or even a completely coherent point of view.

See it if You want to see a depressing 19th century Scandinavian play as a 1-act 1-woman show with an oven mitt hand puppet & Casio keyboard beats.

Don't see it if It's indulgent and mildly confusing, but the actress seems to be having fun. There's nothing horrid about this, nor much to recommend.

See it if you want to see a one woman adaptation of this classic play, she really does an admirable job throughout

Don't see it if you want a fully staged piece, or want a contemporary play - also the use of puppets is REALLY misadvertised...

See it if You like to see young people experimenting with new ways to present an old classic.

Don't see it if you expect good, one-person, acting of multiple parts. Don't see it on a hot day, in a humid basement, with no air conditioning

Also I've seen one person shows acted masterfully. This is not it. There was no change in voice, pitch or body language. I understand that it is supposed to be one person using a jacket, barbie doll, glasses and a puppet to represent the other characters, but the one-note acting just didn't work for me. Hedda Gabler is a psychologically complex role, and I got none of that here.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to support young actors & low budget production that is experimental with a “in development” feel. Interesting idea but didn’t work

Don't see it if You expect creative puppetry. This was a 1 woman show presenting an abbreviated version of Hedda Gabler told with dolls and sock puppets.

See it if You want a concise and clear interpretation of Hedda Gabler with interesting staging.

Don't see it if You're expecting the mood and length of an Ibsen play.

See it if You appreciate creative approaches to theater - here, the various characters were played by one actor, using dolls and very simple puppets

Don't see it if You want to see a deep, thoughtful and well-paced play

Also This has potential. It’s essentially a one-woman show. Use of different voices for different characters would help. Cutting it to quicken the pace would help. I liked the actor’s body language.... Read more Read less

See it if if you like experimental theater, where a woman does the whole show with tiny hand and finger puppets and doll house like props

Don't see it if IF you want a traditional rendering of Hedda Gabbler.

See it if you like low-fi versions of classics where the love for the source material shines thru. Clever staging + brisk run time = fun little show

Don't see it if One person shows aren't for you, or you don't want to feel the vibe of "putting on a show" as a kid

See it if You like Hedda Gabler/Ibsen, You're a former theater person, You like creative interpretations

Don't see it if You're lame, you're a classicist