"HEDDA GABLER" AT YALE REPERTORY A STUDY IN POWER

As the daughter of a distinguished general, growing up in a privileged environment, Hedda Gabler is accustomed to getting her own way. Used to ruling by manipulation, she enjoys ridiculing those she views as inferior to her and likes being amused at their expense. Feelings of boredom and a vast need for freedom fuel her everyday existence. Her beloved and bizarre collection of pistols gives her the sense of danger she craves to experience.

To become intimately acquainted with this unique and utterly disturbing creature, attend an unforgettable performance of Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” at the Yale Repertory in New Haven until Saturday, December 20.

As a psychological study, Hedda Gabler is an enigma, one that verges on the edge of madness. Marianna Gailus is brilliant as the conflicted female who can’t find her place in society as she experiments with the role that best serves her needs. She is inspired and discontent, excitable and filled with disdain, highly emotional and easily distraught. She burns to make a difference, to direct the destinies of those around her, even if they are destroyed in the process.

Returning from a six month honeymoon with her mild, admiring professor husband Jorgen (Max Gordon Moore), Hedda is dismissive and critical of his loving Aunt Juliane (Felicity Jones Latta) and has no use for her new servant Berte (Mary Lou Rosato) who has served her new husband's family for years.

Her interactions with an old school acquaintance Thea (Stephanie Machado) whom she tormented in their youth and with a former lover Eilert (James Udom) reveal her true evil inclinations, her jealous streak and her inability to recognize happiness. Judge Brack (Austin Durant) is the only one in her world capable of calling Hedda’s bluff and revealing her self-destructive center. James Bundy directs this turn of the twentieth century drama, set in Norway, with a new adaptation by Paul Walsh, in a bold and decisive manner.

For tickets ($ 15-65), call the Yale Rep, 1120 Chapel Street, New Haven at 203-432-1234 or online at www.yalerep@yale.edu. Performances are Tuesday at 8 p.m., Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Come view the master puppeteer Hedda Gabler as she realizes her beauty is not a gilt-edged ticket to a forbidden world and, ultimately, she has no power over anyone’s destiny, least of all her own.

LEGACY THEATRE OF BRANFORD CREATES BRAND NEW MUSICAL "SCROOGE AND MARLEY"

Telling the difference between heroes and villains is not always obvious or easy. Just ask Keeley Baisden Knudsen, the Legacy’s Executive Artistic Director, who adapted R. William Bennett’s book “Jacob T. Marley,” a prequel to the classic Dickens’ tale “A Christmas Carol.” What a lovely way to start the holiday season learning about how Ebenezer Scrooge’s and Jacob Marley’s meeting, friendship and long years as partners in the accounting business came to pass. Dan Frye's mean spirited Scrooge and Christopher Lemieux’s money loving Marley are well suited to each other. They have focused their goals on accumulating not family or friends but on the size of their bank accounts.

Until December 14, the Legacy Theatre invites you to experience the long years of their business relationship and the epipancy Jacob experiences when he faces his own death and all the years he had wasted without love or companionship. At this sensitive moment in life, Jacob realizes his foolishness and determines to save Scrooge from his own sad fate. Now at the end of his life, Jacob has chains and money boxes to show for his greediness and avarice.

Settle back in a comfy seat and watch Jacob attempt to convince the Spirits that Ebenezer is worth saving, that he doesn’t need to succumb to the same destiny as Jacob, that redemption is possible, and that Jacob is the man to make it happen. Their cold and profitable relationship was a waste and Ebenezer must see the error of their ways and reform to embrace humanity and make the world a better place. Like clockwork, a trio of ghosts pay visitations to Scrooge: Allison Miller as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Nate Bloom as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Chelsea Dacey as the Spirit Guide.

The past and the present and the future-yet-to-be merge as Scrooge receives memories of Nate Bloom’s Fezziwig, his old boss, the Cratchit family including Allison Miller as mother, Josiah Rowe as his employee Bob, and Fitz Pant as Tiny Tim as well as Josiah Rowe as the narrator, Indiana Weaver as his sister Fan, and Elinor Oliveira as young Fan, Keegan Smith as John Cummings, Lucia Sheehan as his intended Belle,Tom Mullaney as Duffin, and Keegan Smith as his nephew Fred.

With spirited songs like “My Son,” “I’m the Best,” “Scrooge and Marley Code,” jeffand “The Streets are Lovely,” the story sails along while Scrooge reevaluates his choices and realizes he needs to change. Fortunately, he lives many decades more to appreciate what his life needs to be.

For tickets ($36.50-56.50), call the Legacy Theatre, 128 Thimble Island Road, Branford at 203-315-1901 or online at LegacyTheatreCT.org. Performances to this world premiere are Wednesday and Thursday at 2 p.m, and 7 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Come meet the changed men who realize their mistakes before it is too late, villains who now are heroes. God bless us every one.