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Ibsen's Ghost

Full-Length Play, Dark Comedy  /  4w, 3m

An Irresponsible Biographical Fantasy
by Charles Busch

The play Ibsen never wrote – but with more laughs and a happy ending! Shortly after the death of playwright Henrik Ibsen, his former protégée begins peddling a libelous diary exposing the playwright’s misdeeds – but his widow will preserve her husband’s legacy by any means necessary.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 3m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

Shortly after the death of celebrated playwright Henrik Ibsen, his widow Suzannah receives word that her husband’s former protégée is in town peddling a libelous diary exposing the playwright’s misdeeds. Enlisting help from her sharp-witted stepmother, Ibsen’s long-lost illegitimate son, a servant girl with a wayward pelvis, and an enigmatic rodent exterminator known as the Rat Wife, Suzannah sets out to preserve her husband’s legacy by any means necessary.

Written by the legendary Charles Busch, Ibsens Ghost tells a tall (and hilarious) tale of the toll a great man’s ghost takes on the women at the soul of his work.

History
Ibsen’s Ghost: An Irresponsible Biographical Fantasy premiered off-Broadway at 59E59 Theaters on 2 March 2024. Produced by Primary Stages and directed by Carl Andress, the production starred playwright Charles Busch and featured Christopher Borg, Jen Cody, Thomas Gibson, Judy Kaye and Jennifer Van Dyck.
WOLF
GERDA
SUZANNAH THORESEN IBSEN
GEORGE ELSTAD
MAGDALENE KRAGH THORESEN
HANNA SOLBERG
THE RAT WIFE
  • Time Period 1900-1910
  • Setting A Victorian-style sitting room. 1906.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol
    • Strong Language
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“A hilarious must-see… A fast-paced frolic with a little romance and plenty of laughs.” – Broadway World

“A plunge into the world of absurdism… encompassing everything from lowbrow to highbrow humor, pratfalls, farce, witty repartee, satire, sitcom antics, parody, and just plain screwball silliness. Ibsen’s Ghost is a joy ride all the way.” – Talkin’ Broadway

“A hilarious must-see… A fast-paced frolic with a little romance and plenty of laughs.” – Broadway World

“If you're looking for a highly literate lark, this is it.” – Lighting & Sound America

Videos

  • Ibsen’s Ghost at 59E59 Theaters youtube thumbnail

    Ibsen’s Ghost at 59E59 Theaters

  • Ibsen’s Ghost is… youtube thumbnail

    Ibsen’s Ghost is…

  • Behind the Scenes at 59E59 Theaters youtube thumbnail

    Behind the Scenes at 59E59 Theaters

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

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Authors

Charles Busch

Charles Busch is the author and star of such plays as The Divine Sister, The Lady in Question, Red Scare on Sunset, The Confession of Lily Dare and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom; one of the longest-running plays in the history of off-Broadway. His play The Tale of the Allergist’s ...

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