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Attic Salt Theatre Company presents the Classic Tragedy "Miss Julie"Miss Julie, by August Strindberg
Modern adaptation by Jeff Catanese
Produced by Attic Salt Theatre Company
at Attic Salt Theatre Arts Space
September 5-21, 2025
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm,
Sundays at 2:30pm
Attic Salt Theatre Arts Space
2002 Riverside Drive
Asheville, NC
Starring Gabby Bailey, Lauren Otis & Jon Robinson
Directed by Jeff Catanese
FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:
Attic Salt Theatre Company is thrilled to announce their upcoming production of the classic drama Miss Julie, by August Strindberg. Attic Salt is coming off a post-Helene hiatus during which its key personnel had much success at other theaters around Western North Carolina but is overjoyed to present this new and excellent adaptation at 2002 Riverside Drive in Woodfin. The performances will be held Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:30pm, from September 5th through the 21st. Tickets cost twenty dollars and can be purchased through the Attic Salt Theatre Company’s website, atticsalt.org.
Miss Julie was written by August Strindberg and first presented in its original Swedish in 1888 at Copenhagen University Student Union, after censors canceled its theatrical run during its dress rehearsal for language and frank talk of sexuality. Since then, Miss Julie has been translated into dozens of languages and performed thousands of times all over the world. Additionally, the “naturalistic tragedy” has been presented on film over 20 times, starring such luminaries as Colin Farrell, Jessica Chastain, Helen Mirren and Peter Mullan, among others.
This new adaptation by director Jeff Catanese attempts to modernize the language while keeping the play’s original setting and intent. Says Catanese, “Miss Julie has long been a favorite of mine for its intense content and strong characters, but I couldn’t find a translation and adaptation that speaks directly to a modern audience. I hope with this version, I can create the kind of shock in the audience that was first felt over a hundred years ago. There’s certainly never a dull moment.”
The plot of the drama revolves around the titular Countess of a large estate in Sweden and her dangerous flirtation with her father’s valet, John. As the two literally and figuratively dance around each other, the audience is continually left to consider who is in the right and who is making bad decisions. In the midst of this, class, sexual desire and family trauma all come into play. Using a naturalistic style, the play remains controversial by going against the dominant idea that says that characters should be written with only one primary motivation.
As director Catanese puts it, “I’m drawn to plays that have a moral ambiguity to them. I want the audience to ponder, ‘what would I do in this situation?’”
Catanese has put together a remarkable cast of two of Asheville’s best and most-prolific performers, Lauren Otis as Miss Julie and Jon Robinson as John. Citing the dynamic characters, Otis noted, “[I’m] so excited to absolutely wreck myself over and over again as I explore [Miss Julie’s] complexities and nuances.” The cast is rounded out by Gabby Bailey as the house cook Kristin, who often serves as the voice of reason, while Julie and John battle. The proceedings are held together by stage manager Mikhale Sherrill.
All fans of sharply written and well-acted theater should come out to revel in Miss Julie, a thought-provoking and exciting play.
Tickets for Miss Julie are available now through the Attic Salt Theatre Company website at atticsalt.org.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
2002 Riverside Drive Suite 42-O, Woodfin, NC, United States, North Carolina 28804, 2002 Riverside Dr, Asheville, NC 28804-2020, United States
Tickets
