BABYLON, NY — The stage is set at the BACCA Arts Center for a collision between 19th-century stifling tradition and 21st-century raw intensity. From May 16th through May 31st, the Modern Classics Theatre Company of Long Island presents Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, a psychological masterpiece that remains as chillingly relevant today as it was at its 1891 premiere.
At the center of this “gilded cage” stands a General’s daughter, played with haunting precision by Elle Lucksted.
The Ghost of General Gabler
In a role often cited as the “female Hamlet,” Lucksted inhabits a woman at war with her own existence. Ibsen notably titled the play using Hedda’s maiden name to signify that she is defined not by the man she married, but by the man who raised her.
“I think [her father] is everywhere,” says Lucksted, reflecting on the masculine influences that haunt her performance. “He taught her how to shoot a gun and ride a horse. She is expected to meet the standards of society as a lady, but he gave her those influences… that’s why she is not satisfied with living a traditional woman’s life.”
Lucksted’s portrayal promises to find the “restless physicality” of Hedda’s boredom. While Hedda often maintains a stiff, aristocratic exterior, Lucksted intends to show the cracks in the armor through nervous habits and a body language that mirrors internal pain.
Villain or Victim?
While history often paints Hedda as a cold-blooded manipulator, Lucksted finds a deeper, more sympathetic core.
“I tap into this well of pain,” Lucksted explains. “I have a lot of sympathy for her. [Her actions] might not be justified, but I understand it. So, I lean more toward victim than villain.”
This nuanced approach to the character’s “existential ennui” is what sets this production apart. Whether engaging in a dangerous game of wits with the predatory Judge Brack (Joe Cavagnet) or navigating the tragic domesticity of her marriage to George Tesman (Paul DeFilippo), Lucksted navigates Hedda’s various “versions” of herself with calculated, tragic brilliance.
A Visionary Resident at BACCA
The production further solidifies Modern Classics Theatre Company’s reputation as a powerhouse of the Long Island arts scene. As the professional company in residence at the Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts (BACCA), they have carved out a vital niche: bringing high-caliber, seldom-seen classics to local audiences with a fresh, modern lens.
“Our mission is to produce those classic and modern works seldom seen on Long Island,” says director John Emro. “By bringing Hedda Gabler to the BACCA Arts Center, we continue our commitment to innovative storytelling and non-traditional casting.”
Supported by a stellar ensemble—including Renatto Corneja as the volatile Eilert Lovborg and Alexa Roosevelt as the sincere Thea Elvstead—this production promises to be a landmark event for Babylon’s cultural calendar.
Performance Details
- DATES: May 16 – May 31, 2026
- LOCATION: BACCA Arts Center, 149 N. Wellwood Ave, Babylon, NY 11704
- TICKETS: Available now at the BACCA box office or online.
Don’t miss the opportunity to see one of the greatest psychological thrillers in theatrical history, led by a powerhouse performance that promises to haunt you long after the final curtain falls.
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