Kennedy Center Presents FANNY AND ALEXANDER as Part of Nordic Cool 2013

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents the U.S. premiere of Ingmar Bergman's Fanny and Alexander by the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm, Sweden. An acclaimed stage adaptation of Ingmar Bergman's four-time Academy Award winning film, inspired in part by the influential Swedish filmmaker's own upbringing, Fanny and Alexander is directed by Stefan Larsson and runs March 7-9 in the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater as part of Nordic Cool 2013. Press opening night is March 7 at 7:30 p.m.The production is performed in Swedish with English supertitles.

Set at the turn of the 20th century, this epic drama follows three generations of the well-to-do Ekdahl family, led by an eccentric, widowed matriarch and her three sons. The eldest and his wife run a theater-a nurturing world of fantastical delights to their two young children, Fanny and Alexander. But after a tragic turn of events, their mother remarries, thrusting the two siblings into the gloomy, austere home of their strict bishop stepfather. Under his unforgiving rule, Fanny and Alexander become captive prisoners, until the rest of the Ekdahl clan attempts to intervene with the help of a little magic. Exploring themes of faith and truth, imagination and dreams, the Royal Dramatic Theatre brings to life this personal project of the late Ingmar Bergman, the company's one-time manager and frequent guest director for more than half a century.

The Royal Dramatic Theatre, commonly known as Dramaten, was founded in May 1788 by King Gustaf III. The King also opened an acting school, which trained many talented actors over the years. King Gustaf III built Dramaten to give Sweden's people a sense of national identity and pride; its playwrights an opportunity to develop Swedish as a language; and its actors a platform for their noble art, all in order to promote public taste and enlightenment. Sweden now needs its national theater more than ever, a venue where fascinating drama from all eras and countries can be performed and that has the actors and the performing arts forever at its heart.

TICKET INFORMATION

Fanny and Alexander runs in the Eisenhower Theater evenings at 7:30 p.m. on March 7, 8, and 9. The running time is four hours.Tickets are $49 and up and available for purchase online, at the Kennedy Center box office, or by calling Instant Charge at (202) 467-4600. Patrons living outside the Washington metropolitan area may dial toll-free at (800) 444-1324 or can visit kennedy-center.org.

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