Hedda Gabler Revival 2001

I don't know if Carol Burnett ever spoofed Hedda Gabler on her celebrated television variety show, but if she did I'm sure her reaction to a major plot twist late in Ibsen's 1890 drama would have been somewhat similar to Mary-Louise Parker's bug-eyed, open-mouthed, head-shaking, hands on cheeks shtick that drew appreciative howls from the audience at the press performance I attended. I suppose such an acting choice is consistent with a production that frequently has Michael Cerveris, as her bland academic husband, Jorgen Tesman, flashing goofy grins at his new bride while Paul Sparks, as her ex-lover, Eljert Lovborg, emotionlessly barks out his words of passion. Meanwhile, Peter Stormare, as the manipulative Judge Brack, appears to be playing 'Where's Waldo' with his sing-songy accent. (I lost count, but I believe this production has more accents than characters.)