Resolving Hedda
Play Description
Ibsen's characters from HEDDA GABLER, who know the play insanely well after centuries of performances, try desperately to keep the play afloat. At the same time Hedda, just as desperately, tries to sabotage the plot in order to avoid her demise. The misadventures that ensue continue to raise the stakes of hilarity to a fevered pitch. And if Hedda succeeds in her quest to live, will this classic theatrical work ever be performed again?
Production Info
Cast: 7 total (3 female, 4 male)Full Length Comedy (about 140 minutes)
Single Set
Period Costumes
- Reviews
- About the Author(s)
- About the Book
- Special Notes
- Production Video and Stills
- Productions
Press Quotes
“Henrik Ibsen’s violent tragic heroine Hedda Gabler has always had impulse control disorder, and now in Jon Klein’s modern knockoff, RESOLVING HEDDA, the newly snarky, anachronistically hip Hedda self-diagnoses as she tries—for once—to actually live through the end of the 1891 play … Klein has splendid tricks up his sleeve.” —Nelson Pressley, Washington Post
“Critics’ Choice! Hedda is winning audience after audience to her side in Jon Klein’s boisterous new comedy, RESOLVING HEDDA, at the Victory Theatre … Klein, the author of such previous Victory hits as T BONE N WEASEL and WISHING WELL, delivers laughs at a steady pace.” —LA Times
“Klein maneuvers his story with great skill. Hedda, the only character able to step out of the play and into the 21st century, contrasts comically with the others who continue to follow Ibsen’s commands … Klein’s quick-witted writing elicits a steady stream of laughter. You don’t have to know the original HEDDA GABLER to revel in this take-off, but if you have seen an original version, you may enjoy it even more.” —Amy Kotkin, DC Metro Arts
“Fans of metatheatricality will adore Klein’s script, complete with anachronism, inside jokes, fourth wall breaks, and audience interaction. This new, feisty Hedda, who tries fiercely to break free from her pre-ordained path, is the self-confident feminist protagonist that will have contemporary audiences cheering … While watching RESOLVING HEDDA, you’ll likely find yourself more engaged in a period piece than you’ve ever been before—and glued to your seat until the final defiant moment.” —John Bavaso, DC Theatre Scene
“It’s fun … the play is more approachable for general audiences than VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE, which sends up Chekhov’s works … the writing becomes the true star of the show. The comedy is sharp, with contemporary references.” —Katie Buenneke, Stage Raw
“RESOLVING HEDDA is no fusty graduate student’s deconstruction of the play. It’s really more like HEDDA GABLER meets NOISES OFF … Like all the best satirists, Klein obviously understands and appreciates the source material. The laughs are plentiful and varied. There is the ongoing joke of the renegade character, but also commentary on the theatre, modern culture, and female empowerment. Klein manages the difficult feat of keeping the laughs coming consistently through both acts.” —Michael Van Duzer, ShowMag.com
“It’s all totally fascinating … The writing is terrific and the playwright Jon Klein … has taken what is familiar and classic and iconic and turned it completely on its head in the most creative, transfixing and delightful way … I cannot recommend RESOLVING HEDDA enough. If you have a soul, you should see this play.” —Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros, NoHo Arts District
“Critics’ Choice! Along with the entire audience I laughed until I cried … and marveled at the stellar performances given throughout! Do not miss this one. It is a gem! Cleverly written with zany brilliance by Jon Klein … It is truly special and endlessly entertaining!” —Pat Taylor, The Tolucan Times
“Critics’ Choice! One must witness this enjoyable production to fully experience Klein’s masterful homage.” —Dink O’Neal, Arts in LA
“Henrik and Hedda, a hilarious pair … Its author is the brilliantly clever and witty Jon Klein and its director is the inimitable Maria Gobetti, who makes the most of Klein’s hilarious script.” —Cynthia Citron, Santa Monica Daily Press
“If you really want to have a laugh-out-loud evening in the theatre, RESOLVING HEDDA is the show for you. I am sure even Ibsen would be chuckling.” —Rob Stevens, Haines His Way
Author(s)
Jon KleinJon Klein is the author of over thirty produced plays, produced Off-Broadway and at many prestigious regional theatres, including Actors Theatre of Louisville, Arena Stage in D.C., Arden Theatre in Philadelphia, Center Stage in Baltimore, South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Alley Theatre in Houston, A Contemporary Theatre in Seattle, Seattle Children's Theatre, and many others. He is probably best known for his play T BONE N WEASEL, which has received over a hundred productions at regional theatres throughout the US, and which he adapted for a TNT Network film, starring Gregory Hines and Christopher Lloyd. T BONE N WEASEL received several awards after its premiere at the Humana Festival at Actors Theatre of Louisville, including an HBO Playwrights USA Award. Jon is also the author of the only authorized stage adaptation of the famous children's book BUNNICULA by James and Deborah Howe, which has received over a hundred productions in the US and Canada, including a national tour. The critically acclaimed (and Helen Hayes nominated) YOUNG ROBIN HOOD recently received its world premiere at the Roundhouse Theatre in Bethesda, MD. DIMLY PERCEIVED THREATS TO THE SYSTEM (finalist for the American Theatre Critics' Association Award, at Arena Stage, South Coast Rep and many others) and BETTY THE YETI (another entry at the Humana Festival in Louisville) also continue to be frequently produced. Two recent plays, SUGGESTIBILITY and WISHING WELL, recently premiered at the Victory Theatre in Burbank. Other plays that have received major productions around the country include OCTOPUS (Contemporary American Theatre Festival, WV), PEORIA (Woolly Mammoth Theatre, DC), SOUTHERN CROSS (Alliance Theatre, Atlanta), THE EINSTEIN PROJECT (co-authored with Paul D'Andrea, at Berkshire Theatre Festival, Stockbridge), FOUR OUR FATHERS (A Contemporary Theatre, Seattle), THE RED AND THE BLACK (adaptation of the Stendhal novel, also at A Contemporary Theatre), and LOSING IT (winner of the Dramatists Guild/CBS New Play Award, Off-Broadway and at Wisdom Bridge Theatre, Chicago). Jon is married to Laura Annawyn Shamas, playwright, essayist and mythologist.
Special Notes
If original stage producers credits appear in bold below, all licensees are required to include them in the following form on the title page in all programs distributed in connection with performances of the Play and in all advertising in which the full cast appears in size of type not less than ten percent (10%) of the size of the title of the Play:
In addition, the following must appear within all programs distributed in connection with performances of the Play:
by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc, NYC
www.broadwayplaypub.com
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