Jon Robin Baitz's adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler is on its way to Broadway in fall 2001, but before then, Berkeley's Aurora Theatre opens its own production of Baitz's play April 12. The California company stages the new version of the classic drama through May 13 at the Berkeley City Club.

Denounced when it first opened in 1891, Hedda Gabler is now considered one of Ibsen's greatest works. It is the tragic account of one proud woman's smothering by a stale middle class marriage as she struggles vainly for love and understanding in her life.

Broadway set designer (Love! Valour! Compassion!, High Society) and West Coast helmer Loy Arcenas directs. He recently staged Diana Son's Stop Kiss at Brava, Buried Child at American Conservatory Theatre's Conservatory and Prince Gomolvilas' Little Infidels at the Bay Area Playwrights' Festival.

Stacy Ross stars as Hedda Gabler. Her credits include Marin Theatre Company's Who Loves You, Jimmie Orrio?, Spring Storm and the title role of Candida, Berkeley Repertory Theatre's The Green Bird and Ralph Nader Is Missing.

Also in the cast are Elizabeth Benedict, Beth Donohue, Gretchen Grant and Marvin Greene. Tickets are $26-$30. The Berkeley City Club is located at 2315 Durant Avenue. For tickets, call (510) 843-4822. The Aurora Theatre Company is on the web at http://auroratheatre.org.

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Baitz's adaptation of Hedda Gabler is expected on Broadway this fall with Kate Burton in the lead role. The production, which first played the Williamstown Theatre Festival, then transferred to Boston's Huntington Stage Company where it ran Dec. 29, 2000-Jan. 28, 2001 and received glowing reviews. Michael Emerson, David Lansbury and Harris Yulin also starred.