A Doll's House

Nora Helmer has everything: a husband due for a large promotion, three lovely children, a good friend and a troubling secret. Several years ago Nora committed forgery in order to secure a loan that paid for her husband Torvald's medical treatment. Doing so saved his life, but now her deception may come to light thanks to a blackmailer. Nora must figure out a way to preserve Torvald's ignorance of the crime, because he will surely take his own life to blot out the stain on his honor if she's exposed won't he? The unflinching portrayl of husbands and wives in A Doll's House horrified 19th century audiences, and Henrik Ibsen's play still retains its stinging power. Stray Dog Theatre presents Frank McGuinness' adaptation of A Doll's House at 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday (February 2 to 18) at the Tower Grove Abbey (2336 Tennessee Avenue; www.straydogtheatre.org). Tickets are $20 to $25.