The new play, A Selfish Sacrifice, gets its world premiere by Denver Center Theatre Company Jan. 27, following previews, in The Space Theatre.

According to the Tony Award-honored resident company, "In 1879 Henrik Ibsen caused a torrent of controversy when his 'door slam heard around the world' freed a Scandinavian wife from her controlling husband in A Doll's House. Today, in a world where so many marriages end in divorce, director Israel Hicks sought a context that would allow Ibsen's story to resonate with a contemporary American audience. He found that context in modern day Nigeria and enlisted playwright Charles OyamO Gordon to write a new work setting Ibsen's story in America with the central character as the wife of the Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nations."

When the wife of the ambassador joins her husband in New York City, her eyes are opened to how differently she has lived as a Nigerian woman.

The cast includes Terrence Riggins and Kim Staunton (DCTC's A Streetcar Named Desire and King Hedley II) are reunited as the Ambassador and his wife. The cast also includes Harvy Blanks as Dr. Samuel Armstrong, Charles Weldon as Obadele Rhineheart, Michael Cherrie as Balogun, Gwen Harris as Ammajean, Marlene Warfield as Nana Nwadialu, Vincent Nappo and (making her Denver Center debut) Veralyn Jones.

Set designer Michael Brown creates the Ambassador's official residence, in New York City. Designing a mix of Western and African costumes is David Kay Mickelsen. Charles R. MacLeod is the lighting designer. Sound design is by Matthew C. Swartz. Performances continue to Feb. 26.

For more information, call (303) 893-4100 or (800) 641-1222 or visit www.denvercenter.org.