"A Doll's House Part 2" on Broadway Stars Laurie Metcal & Chris Cooper - A-1 Production See It

"A Doll's House Part 2" is a new play by American playwright, Lucas Hnath (Red Speedo).  It's a clever & engaging innovation on Ibsen's original play.  "A Doll's House" 1st premiered in Denmark in 1879.  It was a groundbreaking play that dealt with the limited options, opportunities and harsh social conventions restraining women during the Victorian era.  The heroine, Nora, abandons her family at the end of Ibsen's play; an unfathomable, scandalous & condemnable act. "A Doll's House Part 2" picks up 15 years after Nora walked out the door as she comes through the door for the first time since she left.   Nora confronts head-on the consequences of her actions and pontificates passionately on the constraints of marriage & imposed societal norms.  Ibsen's revolutionary play of its time period may seem obsolete in most places (not all) in the 21st C.  Nonetheless, Nora's diatribe on the failings & absurdities of marriage & relationships are exceptionally astute.  "Love is free until married.  Two separate beings swallowed up into something different and bound together."  Nora's feelings of frustrations are universal & relatable.  Her resilience & fortitude are admirable.  Nora (Laurie Metcal, 3 time Emmy winner) gives a tour de force performance.  Nora's estranged husband Torvald (Acad Award winning Chris Cooper) is a perfect foe as a sparring spouse.  To Torvald's credit, he finds empathy for Nora's feelings.  Anne Marie, the faithful housekeeper  is played by the indomitable Broadway veteran & Tony winner, Jayne Houdyshell.  The cast is first rate.  Each character's perspective is cunningly validated.  The minimal staging & commonly used vulgarities of today allows for a flux between the late 19th & 21st C.  Playwright Hnath pays homage to Ibsen's classical play with prescient thoughtfulness, intelligence & humor.  Could Nora & Torvald have reconciled?  I think it's too little too late to even try again but it makes for great theater.