Author rebels against moral hypocrisy in ‘Ghosts’

WSU’s Mainstage Theatre Series will present the 19th-century classic "Ghosts" by Henrik Ibsen Feb. 24-27 in Wilner Auditorium. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 24-26; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27.

Ibsen (1828-1902), whose artistic vision reflected the paradoxes and contradictions of life, had a controversial career as a playwright.

During his 50-year career his writing style changed from romanticism to realism and from naturalism to symbolism. His themes focused on truths and ideals and why the two aren’t always compatible. His writing illustrated a rebellion against Victorian moral hypocrisy and crippling social conventions.

"Ghosts" focuses on Mrs. Alving, widow of an esteemed man who led a secret life of debauchery. Her son, Oswald, a painter, returns from Paris to tell his mother he’s terminally ill and that he plans to marry her maid Regina. One of Mrs. Alving’s secrets is that Regina is the illegitimate daughter of Mr. Alving.

Pastor Manders, whom Mrs. Alving once loved, has come to dedicate the orphanage built with money from her dead husband’s estate.

Each character forces Mrs. Alving to confront the past including whatever "ghosts" may be awakened. The ghosts represent the old, crippling social conventions that blunt free expression and stifle the joy in life.

Professor Bela Kiralyfalvi is the director, and Nyok-Mei Wong is assistant director and stage manager.

Karen Wild plays Mrs. Alving, and Jason Bond plays her son, Oswald. Sarah Sinsheimer plays Regina, and Wayne Hilburn plays Jacob Engstrand, her stepfather. Aaron Walker plays Pastor Manders.

Tickets are $10 with discounts available to the WSU community. Call 978-3233 for reservations.