Review: 'Hedda Freeman' by Western CT State University Theatre

DANBURY, CT - The students in the Western CT State University Department of Theatre Arts debuted the final production in their Spring Virtual Production Series on Sunday, an updated version of Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” entitled “Hedda Freeman.” The contemporary adaptation was directed by Justin P. Cowan and adapted by Kamilah Bush and Dr. Cowan.

The engrossing, if heavy, “Hedda Gabler” was published at the height of Ibsen’s fame in the late 1800’s. It dared to study one woman’s psychological drives, and how they are both influenced and informed by her surrounding socio-economic environment. The playwright did not set out to deal with what people call problems in this work, but principally wanted to depict human beings, their emotions and human destinies on a groundwork of social conditions and principles in what was his present day.

In this contemporary adaptation set in present day Washington, DC and performed by seven university students, the title character finds herself in a marriage and a society that she can’t seem to reconcile or escape. Issues of race, privilege, identity, and destiny come to a dramatic head as Hedda struggles to define what freedom really means.

Although I have never attended a production of the original version of this Ibsen play, I suspect that it benefited greatly from such modernization. Nonetheless, it must have been a challenging work for this group of talented performers in training.

The director writes in his note in the virtual program that he and the adaptor “offer you a Hedda for the 21st century. A strong black woman aware of the power of her blackness. Aware of the danger of her blackness. Surrounded by whiteness. Carrying the expectations of those who’ve come before her. Struggling with depression and suicidal ideation. Burdened by the stigma surrounding blackness and mental health. A strong black woman with nothing to lose.”

Rachel Faria, an lovely actor of color, brings to life the manipulative and probably narcissistic Hedda with a serene carriage. Ms. Faria, who appeared in COVID-19 and Other Lessons, is a junior Musical Theatre major from Brooklyn. Liam McGrath, a junior from New Fairfield, takes on the role of new husband George, an academic who is more interested in research than in his wife. Mr. McGrath appeared in “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui” and “Be More Funny” at WCSU.

Sophomore Bella Bosco plays the role of George’s aunt Julie Thompson. The BFA Musical Theatre major from Ohio, who was part of “Hand to God '' and “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui,” also served as the student dramaturg of the production. Zachary Brown, a junior Musical Theatre major from Griswold, played the role of family friend Jack. Mr. Brown’s WCSU credits include “Dognap on Dekalb” and “Hand to God.”

Sean Gorman convincingly took on the role of the alcoholic author Elliot Lewis, who was named Eilert Lövborg in the original, George's former colleague and now someone with whom George competes for publications and a teaching position. Mr. Gorman is a junior Theatre Performance major from Bethel and was part of “Be More Funny” and appeared onstage at Naugatuck Valley Community College. Raissatou Karim, a Theatre Performance major from Stratford played decorator Briona (not Brianna) Pittman. Alexis Reda, a junior WCSU student from Fairfield majoring in Theatre Performance, played Thea Everett, a younger schoolmate of Hedda.

Kudos to the lead video editor Kimille Howard on making it look like the performers were acting together in a magnificent home. Clifton Chadwich produced both the scenic design and visual art that graced the virtual performance. Jacob Kelsey and Theresia Young also were video editors for the stream. Elias Levy was in charge of sound and video and Amanda D’Archangelis was the composer of the original music. Head costumer Sammi Rosen dressed the characters in modern garb, with hair and makeup by Julia Bussel.


"Hedda Freeman," a Contemporary Adaptation of Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler" will stream again on May 7, with a talkback session scheduled for May 10 from 7 - 8pm EST featuring director and adapter Justin P. Cowan, adaptor Kamilah Bush, and members of the cast. Tickets are available at wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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