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What happened to Nora? Theatre of Western Springs presents 'A Doll's House, Part Two'

The Theatre of Western Springs continues its 94th season with its second Forum production, "A Doll's House, Part Two," by Lucas Hnath.

It is set 15 years after the ending of Henrik Ibsen's play, "A Doll's House." In the final scene of the classic Norwegian drama from the late 19th century, Nora decides to live an independent life away from her husband and children. In making this life-changing decision, she says goodbye to her past life.

But in "A Doll's House - Part Two," Nora returns to the house, and she must face the family she left behind and deal with the consequences.

Nora Helmer (Katie Hedrick of LaGrange Park) and Torvald Helmer (Gonzo Schexnayder of Brookfield) spar during the Theatre of Western Springs' production of "A Doll's House, Part Two." Courtesy of Eddie Sugarman

Not many plays have a "sequel" like "A Doll's House - Part Two." Using a 21st-century focus, the play shines a light on what could have happened to Nora.

"Lucas Knath has given us a story based on a classic written 143 years ago," said director Angelee Johns. "At its heart, it's a story of the difficulties of relationship. The perspectives expressed by the characters could be said almost verbatim today or 30 years ago or 75 years ago or 143 years ago. Their viewpoints are both personal and widely shared. I am so eager to bring this story to audiences and to hear their perspectives."

"A Doll's House, Part Two" premiered on Broadway on April 1, 2017, at the John Golden Theatre (in previews) and closed on Sept. 24, 2017. It marked Hnath's Broadway debut. Directed by Sam Gold, the cast featured Laurie Metcalf who played Nora and Chris Cooper. Metcalf won the 2017 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play.

The play received a total of eight Tony nominations including Best Play.

Opening night will be Thursday, Feb. 16, featuring the cast of Katie Hedrick of LaGrange Park, Gonzo Schexnayder of Brookfield, Kathy Racine of Bolingbrook and Sophie Imielski of La Grange.

The production, directed by Angelee Johns of Willowbrook, continues through Sunday, Feb. 26, at the theater, 4384 Hampton Ave.

Performances are 8 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, and matinees at 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The show is 80 minutes, with no intermission.

Tickets are $27 for all performances; $14 for children and students. Call the box office at (708) 246-3380 or visit the website at www.theatrewesternsprings.com.

Nora Helmer (Katie Hedrick of LaGrange Park) tries to explain to her daughter Emmy (Sophie Imielski of La Grange) why she left her husband and family 15 years earlier in the Theatre of Western Springs' production of "A Doll's House, Part Two." Courtesy of Eddie Sugarman

Johns has directed many plays in her career. Directing credits at the Theatre of Western Springs include "How I Learned to Drive," "Stage Kiss," "Love, Loss and What I Wore," and "The Drawer Boy," and a variety of one-act plays as a member of the TWS Directors' Workshop.

She spent 11 years as a full-time faculty member at Triton College in River Grove, where she taught speech and theater; served three years as chair of the visual, performing and communication arts department; and two years as artistic director of theater before retiring.

Favorite plays she directed at Triton include "A Piece of My Heart," "Cobb," "Death and the Maiden," "Under Milk Wood," and "Sylvia."

The crew includes: stage manager David Bremer of Western Springs; assistant stage managers Karen Holbert and Mary Van Nest, both of Western Springs; box office Mary Ellen Schutt of Westmont; costume co-chairs Linda Bremer of Western Springs and Debby Mills of Elk Grove Village; dramaturg Courtney Beresheim of Brookfield; hospitality Joe Mills of Westchester; house management Mike Janke of Downers Grove; lighting co-chairs Cal Turner of Naperville and Linda Bugielski of Westmont; makeup Kelli Horacek of Brookfield; program editor Mark Maclean of Willow Springs; props design Pat Huth of LaGrange Park; publicity Ginny Richardson of Burr Ridge; set construction Jon Mills of Elk Grove Village; set design Stephanie Bullwinkel of Lemont; set dressing Pat Huth of LaGrange Park; set painting co-chairs Ann Marie Hultgren of Indian Head Park and Laura Leonardo Ownby of LaGrange Park; sound design Carol Suda of Palos Hills; and tech director Imani McDaniel of River Grove.

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