Steadstyle Chicago
	May 2009 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	Hedda Gabler Henrik Ibsen's works are filled with strong women.  There are some who say that he was a leader in the feminist movement with his characters.  "Hedda Gabler" is such a woman, someone who might be classified as the ultimate socialite.  In the Raven Theatre's current production, the adaptation of the story by Jon Robin Baitz surely takes a little different angle.  Directed by Michael Menendan, this classic tale looks at this woman and what it is she really wants. The world she lives in is filled with control issues.  Who is the master of whom? Hedda (a marvelous performance by Mackenzie Kyle) is a beautiful woman who was raised by her father, a man always in control of her and her destiny.  She has decided that she must live a glorious life and will stop at nothing to ensure that she is never controlled by anyone ever again.  She is a manipulator of people and cares only for her own desires and to be in control of all situations.  She weds George Tessman (deftly handled by Ian Novak) who is a scholarly man, a writer who will be a teacher and so in love with her he will do whatever she asks.  He has been raised by two aunts, one dying and the other, Julia (played with just the right touch by JoAnn Montemurro) is a doting type who only wants to take care of her family. There is another man in Hedda's life, one Eilert Lovberg (sharply played by Ian Paul Custer).  He is also a writer/teacher but now published and just finishing a new novel that has been inspired by her but worked on with another woman, his current love, Mrs. Elvsted (charmingly portrayed by Symphony Sanders).  This is a woman who as a girl tangled with Hedda, but now seems content with her future despite a sour marriage.  The final character in the story is Judge Brack.  Jon Steinhagen handles this role with just the right charm and loathsomeness.  There are some love and hate triangles in the intertwining of these characters lives.  There are also many power struggles and losses to the characters.  There is also tragedy in what takes place in their lives, but is it all tragedy?  Hedda calls it an "act of courage"!  To some it may be cowardice.  Each must judge for themselves. This is a smooth production on a marvelous set designed by Andrei Onegin.  Some original music by Leif Olsen will send chills up your spine.  The lighting design by Christine Ferriter and costumes by JoAnn Montemurro add just the right touch to make the production whole.  I also must say that the props, which often go unnoticed, are superbly done in this production by Mary O'Dowd and truly complete the picture that Raven Theatre is presenting through July 25, 2009.  Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m.  Tickets are $25, a great value for theater of this quality, and can be purchased by calling 773-338-277 or online at www.raventheatre.com.  The Raven Theatre is located at 6157 N. Clark Street (at Granville) and there is limited parking in the lot, metered parking on the street and of course easy to reach by CTA.   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The Epoch Times.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.