With such praised past productions of The Wild Duck and Ghosts, The Century Center for the Performing Arts' Ibsen Series has, over the past year, earned an estimable reputation. The fall of 2000 finds the program at the midpoint in a 12-play examination of Ibsen's work. Currently up in the series is The Lady from the Sea, which began performances Oct. 28, opened Nov. 2 and ends as scheduled Nov. 18.
Starring in the production, directed by Alfred Christie, will be Laurena Mullins, Jay Gould, Larry Petersen (Century Center's A Doll House), Tina Jones (Broadway's The Real Thing), Steve Witting, Christopher Burns (Pride's Crossing) and Eleanor Madrinan. Mullins appeared in Lady at Washington, DC's Shakespeare Theatre and The Kennedy Center.
Lady was written in the middle of Ibsen's career, between Hedda Gabler and The Master Builder. It tells of Ellida Wangel, who remains obsessed with memories of a lost love, though she is married to a kind doctor. The 1888 work, while not frequently staged, is often resurrected as a vehicle for commanding actresses. Past Ellidas have included Vanessa Redgrave, Claire Bloom, Elenora Duse and Luise Rainer.
The translation is by renowned Ibsen scholar Rolf Fjelde. To date, Century Center has performed Ibsen's Pillars of Society, A Doll House, Enemy of the People, Ghosts and The Wild Duck. In spring 2001, the group will stage Rosmersholm.
Tickets are $15. The Century Century is located at 111 E. 15Th Street. For more information, call (212) 982-6782. --By Robert Simonson