THEATRE + COMEDY

The Classical Theatre Company presents Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts.  Running October 7 through October 17 at Talento Bilingue de Houston, 333 south Jensen Dr.

"Scandal" is the word that is often most associated with Henrik Ibsen and his plays. Frequently banned or censored because of their scathing criticism of 19th Century morality, Ibsen's works were hotly contested by the public and the media of the day. Ghosts is no different from these, and with its powerful commentary on the topics of incest, infidelity and euthanasia, it may well have been ripped from today's headlines.

The play follows a day in the life of the widow Helene Alving as she prepares to dedicate an orphanage in the memory of her late husband, but in the process she reveals to her spiritual advisor, Pastor Manders, that the deceased Captain Alving was a vile and lecherous man. The play revolves around Mrs. Alving's afflicted son Osvald and his unhealthy obsession with Regina, their maid.

It is literally the "sins of the father" made manifest. Meanwhile Helene and the pastor, strive to save her son's soul and his body before he is too far-gone.

“Henrik Ibsen is very rarely produced professionally in Houston. I am excited to get a chance to delve into the often neglected realm of early modern drama,” says Classical Theatre Company’s Executive Artistic Director John Johnston, “Ghosts is an intimate but powerful play that asks a lot of its actors and its audience.” The show previews on October 7th and opens on October 8th at the recently renovated Talento Bilingue de Houston cultural center.

The production boasts a stellar cast with Alley Theatre regulars Philip Lehl and Christianne Mays playing the leading roles of Pastor Manders and Mrs. Alving. Returning after playing Haimon in CTC’s Antigone is acclaimed international Irish actor Matthew Keenan who will portray the afflicted Osvald Alving. The outstanding cast is rounded out with local actor Kent Johnson as Engstrand and Classical Theatre Company Resident Actor Blair Knowles as Regina.

The Classical Theatre Company is dedicated to boldly re-envisioning classical drama on the stage, in the community, and in the classroom through engaging and enlightening plays - bringing them new life and relevance while maintaining the integrity that the works deserve.