Press Release

 

Triad Stage presents World-Premiere Adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts, March 15 – April 5, 2009

 

(Greensboro, NC) — Triad Stage continues its 2008-2009 “Season of Spirit” with Ghosts, a shocking exposé by Henrik Ibsen, in a world premiere adaptation written and directed by Preston Lane. Some secrets should not be kept. The past threatens the present in a house haunted by lies and deceit. 29 years ago, Helene Alving accepted her pastor’s advice and stayed with her husband despite his many infidelities. Now, to save her son from the sins of his father, she must finally reveal the secrets of long-ago. But her son has a secret of his own. Can they survive once the truth is brought into the light of day? Ghosts runs March 15 through April 5, 2009. Opening Night is Thursday, March 19.

Published in 1881, Ghosts is considered by far to be Ibsen’s most controversial drama. When it was first published, its themes of social and moral corruption offended the sensibilities of upper and middle class society. Theater companies feared a backlash from their audiences if they produced it, and readers refused to buy the book. Most of the 10,000 first edition copies were returned to the publisher and would remain unsold for thirteen years. Ghosts received its world premiere in Chicago, due in large part to the fact that the theater troupe presented it in Norwegian and American audiences had not yet heard about the “scandal.” Moreover, no theater in Ibsen’s native Scandinavia would produce it and it was even banned in several countries.

Playwright Henrik Ibsen was born in Skein, Norway in 1828 and has become known as the father of modernism. Ibsen, however, did not start with modernism or with being a respected writer. He began writing poetry and plays based on Norwegian myth and folklore (like Peer Gynt and Brand), and at the age of 51, he wrote the play that would be hailed as the first modern play, A Doll’s House (1879). Ibsen continued his realistic modern plays with Ghosts, An Enemy of the People, Hedda Gabler, The Wild Duck, The Master Builder and Little Eyolf. Originally an apothecary’s apprentice, his writings earned him a position at the National Theatre in Bergen, and he then became the artistic director of the Norwegian Theatre at Christiana. The author of over 20 plays, Ibsen provided the foundation for the catalogue of social realism that reaches into the 21st century.

The Triad Stage production of Ghosts is adapted and directed by Preston Lane, the company’s co-founder and artistic director. This is Lane’s second adaption of an Ibsen classic, the first being Hedda Gabler for Triad Stage in April 2004. The talented cast includes Rebecca Nerz (Tobacco Road and Mrs. Warren’s Profession), Jeffery West (On Golden Pond and Bloody Blackbeard), David McCann (Hedda Gabler and numerous regional credits), Gloria Biegler (Butley, Arcadiaand Spoils of War on Broadway) and Blake DeLong (Taboos and Violent Delights Off-Broadway).

The creative team includes: scenic designer Howard C. Jones (Triad Stage designs include The Night of the Iguana, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Tobacco Road, Hedda Gabler and A Streetcar Named Desire), costume designer Kelsey Hunt (over 16 Triad Stage productions), lighting designer Stuart Nelson (From the Mississippi Delta, Syncopation, On Golden Pond, August Snow and A Dickens of a Christmas) and sound designer David E. Smith (Triad Stage designs The Night of the Iguana, Bloody Blackbeard, Tobacco Road, Beautiful Star, The Diary of Anne Frank and A Streetcar Named Desire). The dramaturg is Drew Barker and the stage manager is Eric Tysinger.

Biographies for the cast and creative team, and more information on the production can be found online at www.triadstage.org.

Tickets for preview performances of Ghosts, on March 15, 17 and 18 are all $16 each. From Opening Night, March 19, single ticket prices range from $10 to $42. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seat location desired.

All performances are at Triad Stage at The Pyrle Theater, located at 232 South Elm Street in historic downtown Greensboro, North Carolina (between Market and Washington Streets).

Show times for Ghosts are 7:30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings and 8:00 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings. Sunday matinees are at 2:00 pm. There are no matinee performances during previews. Pay-What-You-Can performances are Sunday, March 22, and Tuesday, March 24, at 7:30 pm. Wine Tasting Friday is March 20, prior to the evening’s 8:00 pm performance. A Sign-Interpreted performance is on Tuesday, March 31, at 7:30 pm, with services provided by the Greensboro Communication Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Technically Talking,a behind-the-scenes discussion with playwright Frank Higgins and members of the design team is Tuesday, January 27, immediately following the 7:30 pm preview performance. The InSight Series, the free humanities program that brings a noted speaker to the Triad to discuss the world of the play and its subject matter, will be held Sunday, February 1, immediately following the 2:00 pm matinee performance. PostScript, a lively, open discussion with members of the cast, will be held Thursday, February 5, immediately following the 7:30 pm performance.

About Triad Stage
Triad Stage is a professional not-for-profit regional theatre company based in Greensboro’s downtown historic district. All Triad Stage productions are created in Greensboro using the best of local and national talent. Triad Stage gratefully acknowledges the support of its Season Sponsors: Mitre Agency, the North Carolina Arts Council and the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro.

Triad Stage’s 2008-2009 MainStage “Season of Spirit” continues with The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead, a new comedic thrill ride by Robert Hewett (April 26 – May 17, 2009); and Tartuffe, or the Hypocrite, a classic comedy by Moliére, translated by Curtis Hidden Page and adapted by Preston Lane (June 7 – 28, 2009).

All Triad Stage productions feature the bold acting and breathtaking design that have been nationally recognized by The Wall Street Journal and haveearned the theatre accolades including “One of the Best Regional Theatres in America”, New York’s Drama League; “Best Live Theater”, Go Triad/News & Record and The Rhinoceros Times; and “Professional Theater of the Year”, North Carolina Theatre Conference. 

To purchase tickets or for performance information on Ghosts, call the Triad Stage Box Office at 336.272.0160 or toll-free at 866.579.TIXX (8499), or visit www.triadstage.org.

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CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:

Triad Stage presents
Ghosts
A Shocking Exposé
by Henrik Ibsen
in a world premiere adaptation by Preston Lane
March 15 – April 5, 2009

Performed at the Pyrle Theater
232 South Elm Street
Greensboro, NC 27401

Some secrets should not be kept. The past threatens the present in a house haunted by lies and deceit. 29 years ago, Helene Alving accepted her pastor’s advice and stayed with her husband despite his many infidelities. Now, to save her son from the sins of his father, she must finally reveal the secrets of long-ago. But her son has a secret of his own. Can they survive once the truth is brought into the light of day?

For tickets:
Phone: (336) 272-0160
Toll-free: (866) 579-TIXX (8499)
Box Office hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Online: www.triadstage.org
Ticket prices: $10 – $42, depending on performance date and seat location

Group tickets:
Call (336) 274-0067 ext. 218
Email: groupsales@triadstage.org
Ticket discounts: Groups of 10 – 49, 15% off; Groups of 50+, 20% off

Educators’ 20% discount tickets:
Current school teachers and professors receive a 20% discount off regular price tickets to all performances. Must present valid school employee ID or proof of employment to Box Office when picking up tickets. Subject to availability. Some restrictions apply.
Call: (336) 272-0160 or toll-free (866) 579-TIXX (Mon – Fri, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
Ticket prices: $8 – $33.60, depending on performance date and seat location

$8 Student Rush tickets:
Current students with valid school ID may purchase tickets for $8. Student Rush tickets are only available at the Triad Stage Box Office one hour before each performance. Subject to availability. Some restrictions apply.
Available at the Box Office for walk-up sales. (Performance days: Sunday, Tuesday – Thursday, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sunday matinees 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

$10 Gallery Seats:
A limited number of $10 general admission gallery seats are available for each performance.
Call: (336) 272-0160 or toll-free (866) 579-TIXX (Mon – Fri, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
Also available at the Box Office for walk-up sales.

Ghosts Performance dates:
Sunday, March 15 7:30 p.m.  1st Preview  
Tuesday, March 17 7:30 p.m.  Preview/“Technically Talking” post-show discussion
Wednesday, March 18 7:30 p.m.  Preview  
Thursday, March 19 7:30 p.m.  Opening Night with free pre-show lobby party
Friday, March 20 8:00 p.m.  “Wine Tasting” pre-show event
Saturday, March 21 8:00 p.m. 
Sunday, March 22 2:00 p.m.  “InSight Series” post-show discussion
Sunday, March 22 7:30 p.m.  “Pay-What-You-Can” performance
Tuesday, March 24 7:30 p.m.  “Pay-What-You-Can” performance
Wednesday, March 25 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 26 7:30 p.m.  “PostScript” post-show discussion with the cast
Friday, March 27 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 28 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 29 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 29 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 31 7:30 p.m.  Sign-interpreted performance
Wednesday, April 1 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 2 7:30 p.m. 
Friday, April 3 8:00 p.m.  
Saturday, April 4 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 5 2:00 p.m. 
Sunday, April 5 7:30 p.m. Closing performance