UT MFA students combine efforts to bring “Nora” to stage

Knoxville- “Nora,” adapted by Ingmar Bergman from Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House,” will open in the Ula Love Doughty Carousel Theatre on Oct. 11 and run through Oct. 27. Bergman’s Nora is faced with the reality that she is simply a pampered trophy wife and adoring mother. She is left with a choice to continue her conventional role or to soar with the winds of change. “An important aspect of this production is the issue of gaining freedom and how it can be misused and manipulated,” said director Frank Hänig. “Nora discovers she has been a doll—for her father, for her husband and for all of society—and that she didn’t have her own opinion. It is important not to make compromises with your life.” Legendary film and stage director Bergman, extracts central characters from Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” and streamlines the classic play to focus on the inflexible relationship between a young wife and her husband. Bergman has shaped Ibsen’s social commentary into an examination of the intimate relationships between men and women. “Nora” stars UT MFA performance students Rebecca Eddy, Jeremy Fischer, Forrest D. Martin, Juan Salvati and Alecia White, all last seen in the CBT production of “Three Sisters.” In fall 2001, Hänig presented a five-week workshop for the UT scene and costume design graduate students where the design concepts for “Nora” were developed. “Nora” previews Thursday, Oct. 10 followed by opening night Friday, Oct. 11. The show will run through Sunday, Oct. 27. Ticket prices are $17 to $23 and $33 on opening night. Call the Clarence Brown Theatre box office at 974-5161 or Tickets Unlimited at 656-4444 to order tickets.