A revival of an old classic has appeared on Broadway and is already drawing rave reviews. Jessica Chastain is starring in the play “A Doll’s House,” which was written in the 19th century by Henry Ibsen. Jessica Chastain is a renowned actress best known for her work in television and film. Since her film career began in 2008, she has starred in numerous acclaimed movies and has been nominated for several Oscar awards.
Some of her most recognizable roles were in “The Martian,” in which she plays the commander of an astronaut crew on a Mars mission. In “Interstellar,” which she portrays a scientist devoted to saving humanity. In “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. While her work as a stage actress is less widely known, it is just as impressive. Some of her earliest career work was in stage productions
after she graduated from theatre school. The role of Nora Helmer in “A Doll’s House” is famous in the theatre world and will surely provide Chastain with the chance to show off her acting
prowess. When “A Doll’s House” debuted in 1879, it started an outcry for its feminist messages. It focuses on the plight of Nora Helmer, who is unhappy in her marriage and realizes that she lacks opportunities for
self-fulfillment. She feels that her husband Torvald treats her as a doll rather than a person, and as a result, she confronts him and tells him that she is leaving their home and ending their marriage. This scenario may not seem particularly shocking to modern audiences, but it was shocking and offensive to 18th-century audiences. It was written by Henry Ibsen, the father of realism and a modernist playwright who is one of
the most famous of his era. Interestingly, Ibsen denied that he intended to convey feminist ideas through “A Doll’s House.” The revival of the play starring Chastain is set for a 16- week run, which began Thursday, March 9, following several weeks of preview showings. It was initially supposed to appear on the West End in London in 2020 but was postponed due to COVID-19 and relocated at Chastain’s request. “A Doll’s House” last ran on Broadway in 1997. The current revival is directed by Jamie Lloyd and adapted by Amy Herzog. Chastain brings her unique creative interpretation to the role. In an interview regarding
the production, she emphasized the nuances of Helmer as a character who is not simply a victim of her situation, but also retains control over it. Another unique element of the revival is the absence of props.
The set is bare, with no period costumes. Chastain said these aspects were initially unnerving but soon became a way to engage with the audience more. She hoped audiences would leave reflecting on how they
distort their authentic selves, as Helmer does in the story. Undoubtedly, this revival of “A Doll’s House” will be a fascinating, moving experience for Broadway audiences, and Chastain’s future work on stage
or screen will certainly be worth watching. The cast will be performing eight shows a week throughout the 16 week period and some of the other stars include Arian Moayed, Jesmille Barbouze, Tasha Lawrence, Michael Patrick Thornton and Okieriete Onaodowan. There are about 12 weeks remaining of the show, so if you are interested in attending be sure to check out some tickets before they sell out