Scarlet Cup Theater was established in Danville by playwright Liz Orndorff and others to showcase plays which are unique to the area.  Several past productions have been premiers of work not previously produced in the United States.  The defining characteristic of the theater is the setting in which the plays are presented.

Its newest production “A Doll’s House” will be performed Sept. 7 through 10 and Sept. 14 – 17.  Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays with a 3:00 p.m. matinee on Sundays.

The production of “A Doll’s House” will bring the iconic work by Henrik Ibsen to the stage at a most appropriate venue – The Great American Dollhouse Museum.  The play was first published in December of 1879 and was considered controversial at the time.  The main character, Nora, lived the life of a well-to-do young wife and mother.  The play tells the story of a crisis in the family which Nora takes in hand leading her to make a most difficult and shocking decision.

Scarlet Cup is a site-specific theater.  The venue of each play sets the tone and complements the theme of the show.  Plays have been staged at the local airport, a distillery, a church, a schoolroom, and a historic mansion, among others.   

The upcoming production is a nod to the past and the future.  After shepherding the theater since its founding, Liz Orndorff retired from an active role and turned over the reins to the new artistic directing team of Erika Sengstack and Daniel Bird Tobin.

Daniel Bird Tobin has recently joined the faculty of Centre College as an Associate Professor of Theater.  Erika Sengstack is no stranger to the local theater scene, having spent several summers at Pioneer Playhouse.

In 2022, Erika made Danville her permanent home and has since performed in the “The Crossword Play,” a one woman show produced by Scarlet Cup in 2022, while continuing to work with Pioneer Playhouse and the Voices Inside project.

“A Doll’s House” is directed by Kolton Winfield (Ken in “Red”) and is staged creatively to engage the audience in the story. The cast includes actors new to Scarlet Cup as well as some who are returning to the theater.  Patrick Kagen – Moore, who previously portrayed Mark Rothko in “Red” in 2020, will be Dr. Rank. Julie Taylor from “A Distant Music,” also joins the cast.

Tickets are available at danvillearts.org under the Ticket tab. Ticket price is $22.50.  Each ticket includes a 25% discount for the ticket holder’s full group to visit the Dollhouse Museum during regular hours through December 30.

Ticket holders are invited to tour the Great American Dollhouse Museum, 344 Swope Drive, 30 minutes before curtain time and during intermission.  For additional information, contact the Box Office at 859-907-2097.