The current production of Hedda Gabler, in a lively adaptation by Jon Robin Baitz, is a peculiar mixture: the play, as usual, starts off with so much exposition that it tends to bore. Then a gushing, very fey, Michael Emerson bursts in as Tesman, a mode he retains throughout the play, tilting all in a novel direction.
The highly touted Kate Burton gives a cute performance as Hedda: she finds the jokes, has fine timing in her "takes," and uses an irritating laugh about three times too often. There's a growling Harris Yulin as Judge Brock, a terrific Jennifer Van Dyke as Mrs. Elvsted, a maid, played by Maria Cellario, who is as strong as the main characters, and quite unmaidly, awful costumes by Michael Krass, and great lighting design by Kevin Adams. It's quite engaging once it starts moving, but we watch as spectators, rather than as participants.
