Roxanna Hope Stars in HEDDA GABLER at Hartford Stage, Now thru Sept 23

Hartford Stage, under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts, presents Ibsen's Hedda Gabler, the season opener of the Tony Award-winning theatre's 49th season, on stage now through September 23.

The cast of Hedda Gabler will include Roxanna Hope, who played Caroline Cushing in Frost/Nixon on Broadway, as Hedda Gabler; John Patrick Hayden (Broadway's Tartuffe) as George Tesman; Sam Redford (The Hurt Locker) as Eilert Lovborg; Sara Topham (Hartford Stage's The Tempest) as Thea; Thomas Jay Ryan (cult classic Henry Fool) as Judge Brack; Kandis Chappell (Sondheim and Furth's Getting Away with Murder on Broadway) as Miss Julia Tesman; and Anne O'Sullivan (Broadway's Blithe Spirit) as Berta.

Jennifer Tarver, the award-winning Canadian director, who is closely associated with The Goodman Theatre in Chicago and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, will helm the Jon Robin Baitz (Broadway's Other Desert Cities and TV's Brothers and Sisters) adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's masterpiece.

The company describes the show: "Are you happy? Have the dreams of your youth – romantic, financial, artistic – come true? How far would you go to recapture one perfect moment? Come and see a part of yourself in Hedda Gabler – Ibsen's timeless masterpiece about an uncompromising woman trapped in a compromised world."

The production features scenic design by Eugene Lee (Hartford Stage's The Crucible; three-time Tony Award winner), costume design by Fabio Toblini (Hartford Stage's The Tempest and Bell, Book and Candle), lighting design by Robert Thomson and original music and sound design by Fitz Patton (Hartford Stage's Boeing-Boeing).

Tickets for Hedda Gabler are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Hartford Stage box office at 860-527-5151 or by visiting hartfordstage.org. Press Night for Hedda Gabler is tonight, September 5 at 7:30 p.m. Opening Night for Hedda Gabler is Friday, September 7 at 8:00 p.m. The production runs now through September 23. Evening performances are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and a select Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Sundays and selected Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. For a more specific schedule of performances, call the Hartford Stage box office at 860-527-5151 or visit hartfordstage.org.

The AfterWords Discussion takes place on September 11, 12, 18 and 19. Join members of the cast and our Artistic staff for a free discussion, immediately following select 7:30 p.m. performances on Tuesday or 2 p.m. matinees on Wednesday. FREE.

Darko's Den takes place on Tuesday, September 4 at 5:45 p.m. before the 7:30 p.m. performance. Join Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and his guests for cocktails as they discuss
the why's and how's of creating theatre. Tickets are $21 (performance not included) and can be purchased at hartfordstage.org.

The Producers Table takes place on Thursday, September 13 at 5:45 p.m. before the 7:30 p.m. performance. Managing Director Mike Stotts hosts a pre-show dinner, where he gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to produce a play. Tickets are $21 (performance not included) and can be purchased at hartfordstage.org.

The Sunday Afternoon Discussion takes place on September 9. Enjoy a lecture from artists and scholars connected with the production immediately following the 2 p.m. matinee. FREE.

Dinner + Design takes place on Wednesday, September 5 at 5:45 p.m. before the 7:30 p.m. performance. Technical Director Aaron Bleck of the Scenery Department shares what it takes to create the theatrical worlds of our season. Learn more about the magic that happens backstage while enjoying a pre-show dinner. Tickets are $21 (performance not included) and can be purchased at hartfordstage.org.

LGBT Night Out takes place on Thursday, September 6 at 6 p.m. Pre-show nosh and complimentary wine (plus drink specials at cash bar) for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patrons. FREE.

Hartford Stage, since its founding in 1963, has been known for innovative revivals of classics and the development of important new works, including 65 World or American premieres. Recent work includes Quiara Alegria Hudes' Water by the Spoonful, winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; Horton Foote's The Orphans' Home Cycle which had a celebrated run at the Signature Theatre in New York during the 2009-2010 season; a landmark production of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird; the premieres of Michael Kramer's Divine Rivalry; and Daniel Beaty's Resurrection (later retitled Through the Night, which had a successful run off-Broadway during the 2010-11 season). In 1998 the theatre launched an unprecedented ten-year retrospective of Tennessee Williams, which included the premiere of three plays. Other new work includes the premieres of Eve Ensler's Necessary Targets, Edward Albee's At Home at the Zoo, Matthew Barber's Enchanted April (which transferred to Broadway), Matthew Lombardo's Tea at Five, and many others. The theatre has earned numerous distinguished honors, including a Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, the Margo Jones Award, OBIE awards, New York Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards. In 2005 Hartford Stage was awarded The Hartford Courant's Tapestry Award recognizing its outstanding work in diversity, and in 2008 it was awarded the Bank of America Neighborhood Builder's Award recognizing its excellence in building community in Greater Hartford. Hartford Stage is currently under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts.

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