San Diego Unseen: An Urban Portrait
The hauntedness in the eyes (not to mention the lousy haircut) speaks volumes about hapless Hedda Gabler (Zoe Chao).
- Photo by Jim Carmody
Remember Rhoda Penmark from the movie The Bad Seed, the kid who went around offing everybody in a bid to amass minor trinkets? If she hadn’t died, she probably would’ve grown up to become Hedda Gabler—such is the depth of Hedda’s psychopathic thirst for an escape from her chronic, bottomless melancholy. Lousy choices in men and a heavy dose of academic skullduggery stoke her despond until, to no one’s big surprise, she lands on the other side herself, courtesy of a pesky, well-placed bullet to the brain.
UCSD is taking a turn at Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, which features one of the most enigmatic central characters in the western canon. A lot of those personality traits seem lost on MFA director Anthony Luciano—he’s got the beautiful Zoë Chao playing the title character for the manipulative asshole she is, but he’s left out virtually all the feminism that makes Hedda such an interesting figure today. Hedda’s recent marriage to academic George Tesman (Kyle Anderson) is one of the play’s driving story lines, and Anderson shows enough of Tesman’s emotional bankruptcy to color the couple’s chemistry.
Kathryn Lieber’s set is appropriately sterile, as is Omar Ramos’ sound—but there’s far more to Hedda than the tech. Rent The Bad Seed and watch little Patty McCormack’s incredible Rhoda; she’ll fill in a lot of this production’s gaps in Hedda’s sociopathy.
Produced by UCSD’s Department of Theatre and Dance, Hedda Gabler runs through Feb. 26 at the Mandell Weiss Forum, 2910 La Jolla Drive in La Jolla. $8-$20. theatre.ucsd.edu
Opening
The Hot L Baltimore: Private and public conversations reveal the fears, longings and foibles of a group of lost souls as their Hotel Baltimore residences are slated for the wrecking ball. Produced by the UCSD Department of Theatre and Dance, it opens Feb. 23 at the Arthur Wagner Theatre on campus. $10-$20. theatre.ucsd.edu
Fair Use: While attorneys at a Chicago law firm take on a high-profile plagiarism case, their after-hours romantic triangle echoes the storyline from Cyrano de Bergerac. Opens in previews Feb. 24 at Diversionary Theatre in University Heights. $20- $33. diversionary.org
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Though beset with adversity, the biblical Jacob’s son Joseph perseveres through wit and faith and becomes the governor of Egypt, second only to the Pharaoh. Produced by JH Company Youth Theatre, it opens Feb. 25 at the Garfield Theatre in University City. $16. sdcjc.lfjcc.org/jc
Little Miss Sunshine: When Olive Hoover enters a regional children’s beauty pageant, the family thinks its bad luck could change and embarks on a cross-country trek. Produced by La Jolla Playhouse, it’s in previews now and opens March 4 at the Man dell Weiss Theatre in La Jolla. $49- $64. lajollaplayhouse.org
Now Playing
Shotgun Wedding Anniversary: What happens after 25 years in a less-than-blissful marriage? For Basil and Petals, it can mean murder. Through Feb. 26 at Mystery Cafe, in the Imperial House restaurant in Bankers Hill. $59.50, including dinner. mysterycafe.net
* Death of a Salesman: Salesman Willy Loman promises his clients the moon but never delivers the same in his private life. Through Feb. 27 at The Old Globe Theatre’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre in Balboa Park. $29-$67. oldglobe.org
Symphony of Clouds: Against a backdrop of Mozart’s music, milestones in the composer’s early life and work unfold in 18th-century Europe, inspired by letters and biographies. Produced by SDSU’s School of Theatre, Television and Film, it runs through Feb. 27 at The Don Powell Theatre on campus. $13-$15. theatre.sdsu.edu
Big Daddy is Here, A Play with Music: This piece is a nod to Muddy Waters, “Ma” Rainey and many other black artists who’ve prominently figured into the evolution of rock ’n’ roll and rhythm and blues. Through March 6 at Community Actors Theatre in City Heights. $12-$14. communityactorstheatre.com
* Jane Austen’s Emma—a Musical Romantic Comedy: A beautiful and clever young woman who prides herself on her matchmaking is clueless to her own feelings of love. Through March 6 at The Old Globe Theatre mainstage in Balboa Park. $39-$94. oldglobe.org
Leading Ladies: Leo falls in love with a dowager’s niece after a series of costume changes and mistaken identities. Through March 6 at Coronado Playhouse in Coronado. $12.50-$25. coronadoplayhouse.com
* Superior Donuts: Arthur runs a dying Chicago doughnut shop that his assistant Franco wants to liven up—but it’s soon apparent that Franco has problems of his own. Produced by San Diego Repertory Theatre, it runs through March 6 at The Lyceum Space Downtown. $35-$47. sdrep.org
The Beard of Avon: A writing partnership is formed as William Shakespeare meets up with an unknown but excellent playwright. Through March 13 at Patio Playhouse in Escondido. $7-$15. patioplayhouse.com
Last of the Red-Hot Lovers: Dreary barney invites three women to his house while his wife and kids are away for the summer. Through March 19 at OnStage Playhouse in Chula Vista. $8-$16. onstageplayhouse.org
* Steel Magnolias: Truvy Jones’ hair salon is a cultural center of Chinquapin, La.—a place where three generations of women can laugh, cry and celebrate together. Produced by Lamb’s Players Theatre, it runs through March 20 at the Ione and Paul Harter Stage in Coronado. $28-$58. lambsplayers.org
* miXtape: Generation X was torn between disillusionment and hope in this cavalcade of music from the 1980s. Produced by Lamb’s Players Theatre, it runs through April 23 at the Horton Grand Theatre, Downtown. $28-$58. lambsplayers.org
