October 25, 2004

The Lady from the Sea comes ashore
at Sacramento State

It’s a second marriage. Ellida Wangel loves her husband, a doctor, but her past promise to a now-lost sailor haunts her. Dr. Wangel returns her love, and strives to make her happy, even as his daughters’ resentment toward their step-mother builds and her adopted town looks harshly upon her. She feels trapped, landlocked, and suffocated by him, separated from the open sea.
Photo of Sarah Penney, left, Allan Wilson and Aaron Farley, cast members of The Lady from the Sea
Sarah Penney, left, Allan Wilson and Aaron Farley, cast members of The Lady from the Sea
Thus opens Henrik Ibsen’s compelling tale of a storm-tossed love triangle The Lady from the Sea, set to take the stage at California State University, Sacramento in a special free preview at 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 4 in the University Theatre. Regular performances continue at 8 p.m., Nov. 5, 6 and 11 to 13 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 6, 7 and 14.

Directed by Sacramento State professor Paul Besaw, Ibsen’s 1888 drama explores the misunderstood Ellida Wangel, the “lady from the sea.” When her past comes upon her in the unexpected return of her former love, she is left to struggle for independence. Embedded in the story are an array of characters and subplots that demonstrate Ibsen’s capacity for humor while exploring the struggle of women against late 19th century social conventions.

The Sacramento State staging of the play will include a women’s chorus similar to that used in ancient Greek theater, an addition developed by Besaw to serve as an aural backdrop to the onstage action. The chorus, and a score of Norwegian folk music, are a constant accompaniment to Ellida’s interactions with her imposing surroundings.

Tickets are $15 general, $8 for students and seniors, and available from the CSUS Ticket Office at (916) 278-4323 or Tickets.com. For more information, call (916) 278-6702. Media assistance is available from public affairs at (916) 278-6156.

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California State University, Sacramento • Public Affairs
6000 J Street • Sacramento, CA 95819-6026 • (916) 278-6156 • infodesk@csus.edu