Presented on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage inside the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, the production launches The Old Globe’s 2026 theatre season with one of the most iconic and emotionally volatile roles in modern drama. Holmes, best known for her work in film and television, steps into the complex title role of Hedda Gabler, a character long regarded as one of the most challenging and compelling female roles in theatre.
The new staging features a contemporary adaptation by playwright Erin Cressida Wilson and direction by Old Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. Their interpretation condenses the story into a focused 90-minute production performed without intermission, creating an immersive theatrical experience that keeps audiences locked inside Hedda’s unraveling world.
First published in 1891, Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler follows a newly married woman whose intelligence, ambition, and dissatisfaction with domestic life gradually push her toward manipulation and destruction. The play is widely considered one of the foundational works of modern drama, examining themes of power, control, repression, and societal expectation.
In this new production, Holmes portrays Hedda as charismatic, restless, and quietly dangerous as tensions inside her marriage and social circle escalate. The character’s boredom with her circumstances, combined with her desire to shape the lives of those around her, drives the story toward a dark and unpredictable climax.
The Old Globe’s staging aims to highlight the psychological intensity of the play while presenting it in a streamlined format designed to resonate with modern audiences. By compressing the production into a brisk, intermission-free experience, the creative team emphasizes the emotional pressure building inside Hedda’s carefully constructed world. Holmes’ appearance has drawn significant attention as the theatre launches its 2026 season, bringing a recognizable Hollywood presence to one of San Diego’s most prestigious cultural institutions.
Tickets for Hedda Gabler are currently available online, and SanDiegoVille readers can receive 25 percent off tickets using promo code DIEGO for a limited time. The discount is valid through the show’s closing date of March 22, though restrictions may apply and availability may be limited as performances sell out.
With closing night approaching, the production offers one of the final opportunities for local audiences to see Holmes tackle one of theatre’s most complex and iconic roles on stage in San Diego.
The Old Globe Theatre is located within Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way in San Diego. For tickets and more information, visit theoldglobe.org.
Originally published on March 4, 2026.
Tickets for Hedda Gabler are currently available online, and SanDiegoVille readers can receive 25 percent off tickets using promo code DIEGO for a limited time. The discount is valid through the show’s closing date of March 22, though restrictions may apply and availability may be limited as performances sell out.
With closing night approaching, the production offers one of the final opportunities for local audiences to see Holmes tackle one of theatre’s most complex and iconic roles on stage in San Diego.
The Old Globe Theatre is located within Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way in San Diego. For tickets and more information, visit theoldglobe.org.
Originally published on March 4, 2026.
