*** Recommended *** The Court Theatre’s production of Henrik Ibsen’s play, The Lady from the Sea, is visually stunning and very well acted, but I just couldn’t relate to these characters, and their inexplicable behavior. Then there’s the language, which is so repetitive I found myself zoning out, especially during the first act. The language in Act II is still repetitive, but at least something happens! Honestly, I expected to enjoy The Lady from the Sea more than I did. 3 Spotlights
When I read that the Court was producing The Lady from the Sea, I had to look it up. Ibsen wrote it in 1888, nine years after A Doll’s House, and two years before Hedda Gabler. For some obscure reason or other, it is rarely produced. In fact, in a brief pre-show conversation, Artistic Director, Charles Newell asked the audience how many had seen The Lady from the Sea. Only about six people responded yes.
The Lady from the Sea was actually scheduled to open in previews the weekend the world shut down, so it was postponed. One good thing – during the hiatus, Richard Nelson had time to do a new translation. Shana Cooper returned as director, as did all of the original cast members.
Balllested (Dexter Zollicoffer), a painter and friend of the Wangels, is almost a Greek chorus. He opens the show with a flourish as he orders the flags to be flown for a festival. He seems to show up whenever the wind changes – or a strange ship appears on the horizon.
The first thing you learn about Ellida (Chaon Cross), a lighthouse keeper’s daughter, is that she’s ‘of the sea’ – in fact, her stepdaughters think she’s odd because she swims every day. She’s the second wife of Dr. Wangel (Gregory Linington) and stepmother to his daughters, Bolette (Tanya Thai McBride) and Hilda (Angela Morris). Lately she’s been restless and irritable, so Dr. Wangel invited Arnholm (Samuel Taylor), Bolette’s former tutor – and a man he thinks is in love with his wife – to visit and cheer her up.
Ellida is restless because she feels something is coming that will change her life. What Dr. Wangel doesn’t know is that she has a past! Before they were married, she met a stranger, a sailor who’d fled his ship after killing the captain. For some reason, she found him irresistible and agreed to marry him. He had to flee, but asked her to wait for him.
When a strange ship appeared on the horizon, The Stranger (Kelli Simpkins) found Ellida and demanded she keep her promise and leave with him. Ellida must decide between her stultifying marriage and the lure of the handsome Stranger. Her husband tries to keep her with him, even threatening to send her away. When she explains, repeatedly, that she didn’t choose him of her own free will, he can’t understand. Ultimately, he does set her free to choose her own future.
Meanwhile, Bolette quietly runs the household and tries to keep her younger sister, who’s a real brat, under control. She’s got hopes and dreams but she knows her father will never let her leave. Her father’s friend, Lyngstrand (Will Mobley), a wanna-be artist, informs her that she should marry him and be his muse. Of course, being his muse means adoring him, taking care of him and all his needs, and never, never having an opinion of her own. I loved McBride’s facial expressions – running from bemused to disgusted – when she heard this declaration of love.
The set, designed by Andrew Boyce, is all about a house with a wall of windows overlooking a sandy beach at the edge of the water. The windows are versatile. Some are sliding doors. Sometimes they seem to be looking into the house, at others, out at the water. At one point, a graceful swimmer could be seen gliding past the window. It took me a while to realize that was Ellida.
Note: Guests must show proof of vaccination with photo ID before entering the theater. Guests are required to wear masks while inside the building.
The Lady from the Sea runs through March 27th at The Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. Chicago. Parking is free, take a ticket upon entry, gate will open ½ hour after curtain. Running time is 2 hours, 20 minutes, with an intermission.
Performances are Wednesdays through Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 and 7:30 pm. Tickets range from $37.50-$84. FYI (773) 753-4472 or www.courttheatre.org.