CHARLES NEWELL DIRECTS WORLD PREMIERE TRANSLATION
OF IBSEN'S THE WILD DUCK AT THE MCA
Court Theatre continues its 2008-09 season with the World Premiere translation of Henrik Ibsen's modernist classic The Wild Duck, directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell. The production will run at the MCA Stage at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 East Chicago Avenue, January 15 - February 15, 2009. The press opening is Friday, January 23, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.
Richard Nelson's bold, new translation of The Wild Duck is the inaugural project of the Barbara E. Franke Commissioning Program for New Classics, Court's newest initiative which seeks to create new adaptations and translations of classic texts for the stage.
Fresh from his smash hit production of Caroline, or Change, Charles Newell returns to the MCA Stage with a world premiere translation of Henrik Ibsen's The Wild Duck. The play combines profound tragedy with surprising comedy to tell the story of the Ekdal family. Their peaceful lives are turned upside down when an idealistic family friend arrives. When the secrets unravel, powerful questions are revealed.
"I have always wanted to return to The Wild Duck after having had the great honor of serving as Assistant Director for Lucian Pintilie's groundbreaking production," says Newell. "But I needed to be sure that we did so in the correct space and with the correct translation. In Richard Nelson's brilliant contemporary script we found a translation that fully realizes the classic text's extraordinary potential for contemporary relevance, and in the MCA's stunning performance space we rediscovered a location that feels as though it could have been designed especially for this production."
The cast of The Wild Duck includes Maury Cooper (Old Ekdal), Mary Beth Fisher (Gina Ekdal), Timothy Edward Kane (Relling), Kevin Gudahl (Hialmar Ekdal), Johanna Mckenzie Miller (Mrs. Sorsby), John Reeger (Werle), Laura Scheinbaum (Hedvig Ekdal) Rob Lindley (Peterson/Molvik) Henry Odum (Graberg) and Jay Whitaker (Gregers Werle).
The designers are Leigh Breslau (scenic design), Andre Pleuss (sound design), Jennifer Tipton (lighting design), and Jacqueline Firkins (costume design). Ellen Hay is the production stage manager and Jonathan Berry is Assistant Director. Kate Bredeson is the Dramaturg.
A related exhibition of portrait photographs is presented by the MCA from January 15 to February 15. Inspired by the play's revealing portrayal of individuals and by its setting in a photographer's studio, the exhibition features works from the MCA Collection by Larry Clark, Blythe Bohnen, and Paul Rosin. In addition, Chicago-based artist Christopher Hiltz will make new portrait photographs during each performance of The Wild Duck.
Charles Newell (Director) has been Artistic Director of Court Theatre since 1994, where he has directed over 30 productions. He made his Chicago directorial debut in 1993 with The Triumph of Love, which won the Jefferson Award for Best Production. Directorial credits at Court include Carousel, Titus Andronicus, Arcadia, Uncle Vanya, Raisin, The Glass Menagerie, Man of La Mancha, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Hamlet, The Invention of Love, and Nora. Charlie has also directed at the Guthrie Theater (The History Cycle, Cymbeline), Arena Stage, John Houseman's The Acting Company, the California and Alabama Shakespeare Festivals, Juilliard, and New York University. He is the recipient of the 1992 TCG Alan Schneider Director Award.
He served on the Board of Theatre Communications Group, as well as on several panels for the National Endowment for the Arts. Opera directing credits include the Lyric Opera of Chicago with Marc Blitzstein's Regina, and Rigoletto at Opera Theatre of St. Louis. His production of Man of La Mancha at Court was the recipient of 6 Joseph Jefferson Awards, including Best Production-Musical and Best Director-Musical.
