BELFAST — Belfast Maskers’ audiences will see another side of their theater, literally and figuratively, with the first production of 2023. “A  Doll’s House, Part 2” by Lucas Hnath, running March 9 through 19th, will be staged in an innovative “in the round” configuration of the Basil Burwell Community Theater — meaning audiences will be seated on both sides of a playing space in the center of the theater.

An all-but-bare stage is dominated by a single door. This is the same door that the protagonist, Nora, shockingly walked out of 15 years before at the close of Henrik Ibsen’s groundbreaking “A Doll’s House.”

For its 2017 Broadway premiere, “A Doll’s House, Part 2” was nominated for eight Tony Awards — including Best Play. "A Doll's House, Part 2" is by no means a conclusion to Ibsen's work. Instead, it contributes to an ongoing public conversation about issues he brought to light — a conversation that will not end when the play ends.

“Discussion is integral to effective theater,” said director Bill Burford. Burford, a member of the Society of Directors and Choreographers, worked for years in New York and now lives full time in Belfast. "We've invited the audience each night to join us after the show for an optional 'talk back' to discuss the play, the issues, or anything else prompted by the performance."

Hnath (pronounced "Nayth") not only studied the original in detail, he copied out the whole play in longhand to understand it better.

"Keeping some of Ibsen's story architecture, he's imagined a wholly new play for our time," said Burford, in a Belfast Maskers news release. "Including a wry touch the original lacked. In 2017, the 'Me Too' movement was just hitting its stride across the world. But that's only one way to see this story: four characters, four points of view — and that's just for starters. Created to engage us in the public study of character, it's a rapid-fire 90 minutes on claiming one's own voice. But it's also about crafting a personal autonomy that honors mutual respect, that allows us to take the time to truly hear one another."

"A Doll's House, Part 2" opens on Thursday, March 9 with a Preview Night performance featuring $10 tickets. The run continues Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., that weekend and the following.

General Admission seating is $18; Student & Senior tickets are $15. Masks are optional for all performances. Buying tickets online is highly recommended, according to the release, as the in-the-round arrangement will only accommodate sixty-five patrons for each seating.

Due to mature themes and language, "A Doll's House, Part 2" is not recommended for patrons under 13.

Tickets are available now at http://www.belfastmaskers.com