Ingmar Bergman's NORA Begins This Weekend at Cherry Lane Theatre

Ingmar Bergman's NORA -- an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's classic drama A DOLL'S HOUSE -- will be given its English-language New York debut Off-Broadway this fall when Austin Pendleton directs the production at Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St.), with previews set to begin November 14 prior to an official press opening November 22. The five-week production runs through December 12. NORA is produced by Cherry Lane Theatre in association with La Femme Theatre Productions.

Bergman's adaptation was last performed in New York -- in Swedish -- at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 1989. The translation used in the new production of NORA is by Frederick J. Marker and Lise Lone-Marker.

NORA is based on Ibsen's riveting tale of a seemingly conventional woman coming to terms with her life in a man's world. Through the microcosm of Nora's 'doll house' marriage, both Bergman and Ibsen pose crucial questions about the role of gender in modern society.

NORA features in its cast the legendary actor George Morfogen, Jean Lichty, Larry Bull, Andrea Cirie and Todd Gearhart.

Austin Pendleton is a much-loved actor and director whose most recent directing credits include the Pulitzer Prize-winning BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY, HAMLET, UNCLE VANYA, THREE SISTERS (Obie Award) and IVANOV, all for Classic Stage Company. He directed the Steppenwolf productions of TRIBES, DETROIT and TIME STANDS STILL, and was nominated for the Tony Award for his direction of THE LITTLE FOXES with Elizabeth Taylor and Maureen Stapleton, and SPOILS OF WAR with Kate Nelligan. He received the Drama Desk Award for Renaissance Man of the Year.

George Morfogen has appeared in Mr. Pendleton's productions of IVANOV, VANYA and THREE SISTERS and has appeared in numerous plays at Mint Theater. He is widely recognized for his role on the HBO series OZ. Jean Lichty starred in revivals of A LOSS OF ROSES and BUS STOP (Cherie) directed by Mr. Pendleton. Todd Gearhart has performed on Broadway in BYE BYE BIRDIE and has appeared in various productions at Vineyard Theatre, Guthrie and George Street Playhouse. Larry Bull was in THE COAST OF UTOPIA at Lincoln Center and ROCKET TO THE MOON with Peccadillo. Andrea Cirie has extensive regional credits that include performances at Shakespeare Theatre DC, Hartford Stage, Old Glove and Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

Harry Feiner is set and lighting designer; Theresa Squire is costume designer; Ryan Rumery is sound designer.

NORA continues Cherry Lane Theatre's 92nd season, which recently began with the critically-lauded dark comedy CATCH THE BUTCHER (through October 30).

One of the most renowned theatres in the country, Cherry Lane Theatre has produced a large succession of plays by leading writers from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Gertrude Stein, Samuel Beckett, Edward Albee and Harold Pinter. Under the artistic leadership of Angelina Fiordellisi since 1996, Cherry Lane remains devoted to developing and producing new works for the stage through its various programs including the award-winning Mentor Project, which each year pairs established playwrights with emerging writers for a season of dramaturgy, rehearsal, casting and production. Mentor Project returns this season for its 18th season with mentors Rajiv Joseph, Katori Hall and Sheila Callaghan, marking the first time in the program's history that formerly mentored playwrights return to Cherry Lane as mentors to other playwrights.

Angelina Fiordellisi is Founding Artistic Director of Cherry Lane Theatre; Seri Lawrence is Literary Manager and Janio Marrero is Facility Director.

General admission tickets to NORA are $46; reserved premium tickets are $66. Seats can be purchased online at cherrylanetheatre.org, by phone at 866 811 4111 or in person at the Cherry Lane Theatre box office at 38 Commerce St. The production will perform through December 12: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 7 pm; Saturdays at 2 and 7 pm and Sundays at 3 pm. There will be an added performance on November 25 at 2; there will be NO performances on November 26 or December 7.

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