Ibsen on GVSU stage

Theatre at Grand Valley State University presents a dramatic production of Henrik Ibsen's tale, Lady from the Sea.

Performances are March 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, at 7:30 p.m. and March 22 and 29, at 2 p.m. in the Louis Armstrong Theatre, Performing Arts Center, Allendale Campus.

“It’s so meaty,” said Professor Roger Ellis, who directs the production. “Though written in 1888, the play is just as relevant today because it deals with the timeless issues of love, family interactions and the need to get away.”

Ibsen sets the play in a remote coastal village of his native Norway. The main character, Ellida, wrestles with her marriage to Doctor Wangel and her role as stepmother, against the growing memories of a promise made long ago by a sailor. The desire to make her true choice arrives when the sailor returns, just as the daughters are contemplating their own marriage prospects.

“All of the characters need to cut through the baggage of their past in their search for love,” said Ellis, who is working from the modern translation by Pamela Gems. The set design is purposely sparse, placing the emphasis on the characters, garbed in authentic period costumes. “Ibsen created characters we can all understand and was a master at wringing emotion from his audience.”

Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 faculty/staff/alumni/seniors, and $6 all students. Tickets can be purchased through the box office, located in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center, open Mondays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m. and one hour before the curtain time for each performance. Tickets can also be purchased with a service fee through Startickets.com or by calling Startickets at (616) 222-4000 or 1-800-585-3737.

For more information call (616) 331-2300 or visit www.gvsu.edu/theatre .

Photo: Kyle Walker as Dr. Wangel and Alicia Clark as Ellida rehearse a scene in GVSU’s production of Ibsen’s ‘Lady from the Sea.’