Rooth Casts A Spell As 'Nora'

The Westport Playhouse's production of Ingmar Bergman's Nora, a 1981 adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's classic drama A Doll's House, focuses on a husband and wife relationship and asks, to what length is a woman expected to go to maintain the marriage's harmony, financial solvency, and overall good will within the family structure. Written in 1879, one might expect this to be a period piece, a solid play describing the mores of Ibsen's society but hardly relevant to 21st century marital relationships we have today. But, it is.

Partnering with director David Kennedy, Liv Rooth casts a spell with a tour-de-force performance culminating in vividly stripping away both her husband's physical, emotional, and economic power while also releasing society's hold upon her. Rooth shines as the title character, Nora, a woman who wrestles with her desire to make her husband happy while also shielding him from dangerous secrets. Does this sound somewhat familiar? Who doesn't make compromises in relationships, be it in the bedroom or the boardroom?

Nora's sacrifices, though, could lead to criminal charges and public shame. When she needs her husband to support her, his true colors shine. And, making perhaps her greatest sacrifice, Nora realizes she must leave the life she has known her whole life, in her father and husbands' houses, and find her inner self. Rooth's Nora is convincing, passionate and captivating. We want her to succeed. For our sake, and hers, we cling to the hope that once a truth is revealed, we can change.

In the final scene, Rooth communicates every woman's fears, anxieties and anger at having to continuously fight for rights that are given so freely to men. Her strength and her conviction lead to one of Kennedy's boldest choices, which was met with both positive and negative support by audience members as they left the theater. Despite the mixed response, Kennedy's artistic decision in the last scene was far more about a powerful and thoughtful illustration of the themes of the play than shock value.

Kennedy has wisely chosen to tackle Ingmar's interpretation of Nora as opposed to Ibsen's original text. This work is stripped of pedantic dialogue and distractions, such as the children's presence, which would cause sympathy for husband Torvald's character and ultimate actions. Yet even in this pared down adaptation, Lucas Hall's Torvald is not all bad. Hall adeptly balances the cluelessness and nuance of his character, adding depth to scenes that could be black and white.

As Westport Country Playhouse's audiences have come to expect from Kennedy's past seasons' productions, (most notably Tennessee Williams' provocative thriller Suddenly Last Summer, also starring Liv Rooth), Nora is a visually engaging production. Audiences literally peek into Nora and Torvald's lives through a simple, open doll house-like structure created by scenic designer Kristen Robinson. Costume designer Katherine Roth provides a slew of colorful party dresses for the beautiful Nora doll to frolic in, whether she is playfully flirting with the couple's close friend and confidante Dr. Rank (aptly played by LeRoy McClain) or welcoming her old friend, Mrs. Linde (a low-key Stephanie Janssen).

Once again, the Westport Country Playhouse does not disappoint in serving up "theater worth talking about." It's a meaty, well-structured production with top-notch performances all around. May David Kennedy continue to woo Liv Rooth back to Fairfield County for a few weeks next summer and to keep audiences inspired to think and talk about topics we erroneously take for granted.

Nora closes on Sat. August. 2nd. Do not miss the chance to see great acting and Kennedy's creative interpretation of this timeless tale.