JACKSON, Tenn. — Nov. 12, 2019 — The 51社区 theater department will present the production, 鈥淎 Doll鈥檚 House鈥� by Henrik Ibsen, Nov. 14-19 in the W.D. Powell Theatre.
The play takes place in the late 1800s and is about a woman who is living a life that is non-realistic, said John Klonowski, associate professor of theater and director of the production. She has been treated like a doll her whole life by her father and husband, which was typical for the time period.
Klonowski said though the play centers around historic issues, it is still relevant today 鈥� and not just for women, but for anyone who is trying to find his or her identity based on what others think or say about them. In this story, the protagonist goes through an awakening to the fact that she does not truly know who she is.
This production holds the record as the most-produced play in history, Klonowski said, even over the works of Shakespeare.
Though the play is not necessarily about spiritual issues, there is a spiritual undertone: it is a play ultimately about the human condition, Klonowski said. It was written during a time when humanism was coming into its own. Although the characters in this play have no hope, he said the story can remind Christians that their hope is in Christ.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e a human being, this play should resonate with you in some fashion,鈥� Klonowski said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very powerful piece. There鈥檚 something in there that we can all learn, whether it鈥檚 the way we treat others, or [if] we鈥檙e the ones on the other end that feel like we鈥檙e victims 鈥� to change that victim mindset to a victor mindset.鈥�
Klonowski said he hopes Union鈥檚 theater department continues to grow and be enjoyed by the Jackson community.
鈥淭here鈥檚 some great theater right here that we鈥檙e doing, and you鈥檙e supporting these young, budding artists,鈥� he said.
Show times are at 7:30 pm Nov. 14-16 and 18-19, with a Sunday matinee at 2:30 pm, Nov. 17. Tickets are available for purchase online at uu.edu/theatre or by calling the box office at (731) 661-5105.