6/5/2016 BWW Review: Antaeus Appropriately Goes Out With a Bang With a Strong HEDDA GABLER

http://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/BWW-Review-Antaeus-Appropriately-Goes-Out-With-a-Bang-With-a-Strong-HEDDA-GABLER-20160603 1/4

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June 3 6:44 AM2016

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👤 by Gil Kaan

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BWW Review: Antaeus Appropriately GoesOut With a Bang With a Strong HEDDAGABLER

HEDDA GABLER/by Henrik

Ibsen/adapted by Andrew Upton/directed

by Steven Robman/Antaeus Theater/thru

July 17, 2016

Steven Robman's strong hand at briskly

directing his very talented ensemble at a

snappy pace makes this updated 19th

century classic whizz by in its two-hour-

and-twenty-minute length. Victorian values

seem right at home in the

modernization/adaptation of Antaeus' production of HEDDA GABLER, a drawing room

concoction of misdirected/misguided affections/attractions/lusts. The only 'value' outdated

(and not updated) would be the comment of showing of too much ankle from the women.

(Hedda shows off her legs and bare shoulders.)

Who knew Hedda Gabler was such a

BITCH! As beautifully limned by Jaimi

Paige, her Hedda's the original Mean Girl.

A bully in high school, she threatened to

chop off the beautiful, long blonde locks of

her classmate Thea. Alluded to a then life-

or-death incident between Hedda and

Lovberg, each (in present day) wishes the

fatal shot had been taken. At the

appropriate age to wed, Hedda allows

herself to marry - not for love or passion -

Tesman, an ambitious historian/professor who promises her everything she wants (except for

excitement and danger). Hedda disparages Tesman's Aunt Julle's new hat and consistently

berates the family maid Berte. Hedda manipulates everyone she comes in contact with whether

they know it or not. A more horrid, despicable character you'll never find again, hopefully.

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6/5/2016 BWW Review: Antaeus Appropriately Goes Out With a Bang With a Strong HEDDA GABLER

http://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/BWW-Review-Antaeus-Appropriately-Goes-Out-With-a-Bang-With-a-Strong-HEDDA-GABLER-20160603 2/4

HEDDA GABLER begins with the newlyweds' return fromtheir five-month honeymoon to their dream house bought,way beyond Tesman's current financial means. AdrianLaTourelle totally inhabits Tesman, the fawning, so-in-love,new husband who has yet to secure the professorship at alocal teaching institution. LaTourelle convincingly exhibitsTesman's enthusiam, his overwhelmed nervous energy, hiseagerness to please any and all of Hedda's whims, and hisgrowing realization that Hedda's a lot more to handle thanhe thought.

Readying the newly acquired home, the family maid Berteand Tesman's Aunt Julle prep the final details beforerealizing the Tesmans had already arrived during the night.Amelia White's perfectly matronly as the doting aunt whileElizabeth Dennehy shines as the oh-so-efficient Berte.

Ann Noble embodies the naiveté and total innocence of Thea, the much younger wife of thetown magistrate. Originally the nanny to the magistrate's children, he conveniently (for him)marries her after his wife died. Needing a tutor for the children, the magistrate takes a live-inwriter/teacher Lovborg. In her 'spare' time, Thea helps Lovborg in creating his manuscript whilefalling in (what she thought was) mutual love. Daniel Blinkoff's a wonderful mess as Lovborg -

part genius, part alcoholic. Blinkoff's involved in a cleverreveal at the end of Act One. Two other very inspiredtouches include Berte the maid handling the propsrepositioning between scenes, and the final 'stage device' atthe end. Three very memorable theatrical moments.

The charismatic and intriguing Tony Amendola commandsthe stage as the duplicitous Judge Brack, Tesman's comradeand probable reference for/entré to his desiredprofessorship. His interactions with Hedda initially appearon even footing; but like a seesaw, one's advantage towers orfalls below the other, and reverses. With Hedda and Brackbeing two 'villains,' who do you root for? Paige andAmendola make it a pleasure to keep switching sides.

In Antaeus tradition of double casting; one set of actorscomprise the " The Generals" cast, another set the "The Pistols," and a combination from bothform "The Fjords." This wonderful cast being reviewed: The Generals.

Kudos to scenic designer Se Hyun Oh forhis country home (possibly Victorian) livingroom set with lots of flowing drapes and awindow back-lit by Leigh Allen. Costumedesigner Leah Piehl keeps all thecharacter's clothing in the same Victorian-esque period except for the shoulder andleg-baring shift that Hedda predominatelywears.

Nice fitting punctuation as Antaeus' finalproduction at their current Lankershim location before moving to their new Glendale home.

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6/5/2016 BWW Review: Antaeus Appropriately Goes Out With a Bang With a Strong HEDDA GABLER

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