Last night I saw Hedda Gabler at BAM. Now Hedda is not exactly a light, uplifting play, so it’s not normally something I would run (ok, hobble) to go see, but this production had the one and only Cate Blanchett in the title role.

I’ve been a fan of Ms. Blanchett’s work since Elizabeth, for which she should have won an Oscar. (Gwynnie was good and all, but I don’t think anyone but Blanchett could have humanized the first Queen Elizabeth. My guy was under the impression Elizabeth was in the vein of Pride and Prejudice, but if anything it’s more like Braveheart. Put it on the queue if you haven’t seen it. But I digress.)

My expectations were high for her performance, and she did not disappoint. Her actions were big and theatrical enough to carry to our high mezzanine seats, but you could still see realizations wash over her face and know instantly what Hedda was thinking. The entire Australian cast was excellent, including Hugo Weaving of The Matrix, Lord of the Rings, and more recently V for Vendetta fame. I highly recommend seeing this production, but tickets are scarce.

By the way, this is why I love living in New York. This stuff doesn’t happen in West Palm Beach.