I just experienced an exquisite theatrical work, as I sat in the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center and saw “Ghosts.” The Henrik Ibsen classic has been given a new, moving breath of life by playwright Mark O’Rowe, and with flawless direction by Jack O’Brien. “Ghosts” tells the mesmerizing story of the Alving family: Helena Alving is about to open an orphanage, to be named the Captain Alving Memorial Orphanage after her late husband. Her son Oswald has returned home from Paris after living there most of his childhood and early adult life. Pastor Manders is assisting Helena with the legal paperwork that goes with opening the orphanage, but their history goes much deeper than that. The family has a young, pretty maid named Regina, who has a father she is ashamed of, named Engstrand. While her father wants her to move in with him, she has a deep-seated hatred for him that she cannot see past. She also despises her late mother.
This storyline has a lot of secrets that connect these characters in ways that are obvious, but also in ways you could not have imagined. For example, the deceased father had a lot of baggage; a great deal of infidelity occurred; and Helena dealt with it up to a point. And while Oswald did not understand why his mother sent him away from them at the age of 7, he later learns why this had to be the case.
A lot of these characters reveal secrets, and some are more heart wrenching than others. What this play does demonstrate is that the sins of the father can be visited on the son. It also makes one question how far a woman should go to stay true to her marriage vows if her husband is treating her horribly. Why was it believed that no matter what your husband did, you were supposed to stick it out? The stupendous performances of this stunning cast will have you in tears by the end and will touch deep in your soul.
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Lily Rabe is stellar as Helena, a strong-minded woman who was dealt a terrible hand in life and who made the best of it as she saw fit. Billy Crudup is outstanding as Pastor Manders. He has such an archaic view of marriage that it makes you wince when he tries to reprimand Helena forever wanting to leave her husband during their troubled marriage. He also is torn between his pastor duties and his feelings for Helena. Ella Beatty delivers a strong performance as Regina, a young maid struggling to find a way to marry well and get out of their small community. Hamish Linklater is quite memorable as Engstrand. While his character is looked down upon, he has been through a lot and there is more to him than meets the eye. Levon Hawke is riveting as Oswald. His performance will have you in tears. He is struggling on so many levels and this actor delivers every emotion in the book. The final scene between Hawke and Rabe will leave you speechless, in awe, amazed, and your heart will drop. I can’t sing the praises of this production enough! “Ghosts” is a must-see — it will leave you haunted for some time to come.
This production has stunning set design by John Lee Beatty, costumes by Jess Goldstein, lighting by Japhy Weideman, sound by Mark Bennett and Scott Lehrer, original music by Mark Bennett. For ticket information visit www.lct.org.