S.T.A.R. to present landmark Ibsen play

Southern Tier Actors Read (S.T.A.R.) will present a staged reading of Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts for three performances (Aug. 23-25) in the Carousel Theatre on the ground floor of the Roberson Museum and Science Center, 30 Front St., Binghamton.

Ibsen is considered one the most influential playwrights of the 19^th century and one of the founders of modernism in theater. But Ghosts, published in 1881, was not an immediate success. In fact, it scandalized Europe because its subject matter included religion, incest and venereal disease. Major playhouses in Europe rejected it, and the published edition flopped.

Today, the scathing commentary on 19^th century morality is considered a groundbreaking play and one of Ibsen’s major works.

Chris Nickerson is directing the S.T.A.R. production. The five-person cast is Maryann Johnson, Jim Michalec, Eric Bill, Charles Berman and Kirsten Whistle. All have appeared in numerous regional and local productions.

IF YOU GO: Southern Tier Actors Read will present Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts at 7 p.m. Aug. 23 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 24 and 25 in the Carousel Theatre of the Roberson Museum and Science Center, 30 Front St., Binghamton. Tickets are $15. For reservations, visit info@roberson.org or call 607-772-0660.

— George Basler