Now playing at Theater for the New City, August Strindberg’s sole comedy, First Warning!, is a marital whirlwind wrapped in one act. Remarkably, it has never before been produced in English. First performed in Berlin, Germany, in 1893, then in Sweden in 1907, Robert Greer has expertly translated it from Swedish to English as well as directed it. The play stars the always-inimitable Natalie Menna (Olga) as Axel’s wife, the versatile Mike Roche as Axel, the hilarious Holly O’Brien as a teen (Rosa) with a crush on Axel, and the elegant Anne Stockton as a Baroness and mother of Rosa, who also vies for Axel’s affections.
This engaging quartet takes us on a ride though the various facets of long-term marriages: the petty jealousies, the fraught misunderstandings, the joy of togetherness, the dormant passion, and the temptation to simply toss in the towel and leave town. What renders this play such a charming reassurance is threefold: the cast is excellent, the audience is reassured that love can endure after an onslaught of temptation, and Strindberg’s work can be beautifully and enjoyably rendered on this American stage.
The Set-Up
Married for 15 years, Axel loves his younger wife Olga, but is tormented by unnecessary jealousy and her cooling ardor. Menna portrays a mesmerizing Olga who alternates between cool acceptance of her husband’s threat to leave town, annoyance at his party-loving proclivities, and conflicting feelings when competition enters the picture. What renders First Warning! such a mirthful comedy are all of the misunderstandings and false assumptions each character makes as they interact, as well as their superb performances. Mike Roche’s physicality on stage lends itself to humor, as do Natalie Menna’s subtle, shifting expressions. O’Brien’s Rosa is a very funny teen who simply won’t be dissuaded from her affections for Axel, even as he fends her off, and her mother is just as eager to ensnare Axel for herself in her own manner. Without giving too much of the plot away – because you should absolutely see this while you still can – the play morphs into a comedy of memorable errors.
In spite of its satirical nature, there is something deeply romantic about First Warning!, too. It opens with the married lovers dancing to “Some Enchanted Evening,” then yodeling to each other, Swiss Family Robinson-style, in their early, lighthearted Honeymoon phase. Even the lovely and unique costumes by Billy Little are romantic and nostalgic, featuring feathers, ruffles, and shimmering detailing. The lighting is artful and creative, and lends to the romance. The fact that Natalie Menna, Mike Roche, Holly O’Brien, and Anne Stockton can forge an entire world of drama and comedy with one stage setting and in one act, speaks volumes to their professionalism and the magic they are able to create together under the direction of Robert Greer.
Strindberg’s semi-autobiographical comedic tale of marriage underscores his propensity to be a provocateur. He clearly understood the delights and vicissitudes of the institution, not to mention the underpinnings of comedy. This is my own first warning: you must see this play.
The Cast
Natalie Menna plays Olga
Mike Roche plays Axel
Holly O’Brien plays Rosa
Anne Stockton plays the Baroness
PRODUCTION
Lighting design is by Alexander Bartenieff
Costume design is by Billy Little
Stage Manager is Jose Ruiz
BIOS
Natalie Menna has appeared at TNC in lead roles in six Strindberg Rep productions: Julie in “Miss Julie,” Hedda in “Hedda Gabler,” Elise in “Pelican/Isle of the Dead,” Laura in “The Father,” Tekla in “Creditors” and Alice in “Dance of Death, Parts 1 & 2,” all in new translations by Robert Greer. Last season at TNC, she played Vivien Leigh in “Orson’s Shadow,” written and directed by Austin Pendleton. She is also a playwright; TNC has presented her plays “Hiroshi Me-Me-Me,” “Zen A.M.” and “Occasionally Nothing.” NatalieMenna.com
Mike Roche has appeared at TNC in Strindberg Rep productions of Miss Julie” (as Jean), “Hedda Gabler” (as Judge Brack) and “Creditors” (as Gustav). Other credits include “Occasionally Nothing” by Natalie Menna (TNC), “The Hook” by Arthur Miller (American premiere at Brave New World Rep), “Night Over Taos” (INTAR, dir. Estelle Parsons), and “Billy the Kid” (Flea Theatre, dir. Jim Simpson). He is a member of Godlight Theatre Company (2010 Drama Desk Award). MikeRoche.net
Holly O’Brien has appeared at TNC in Strindberg Rep productions of “Miss Julie” (as Christine, the cook), “Hiroshi-Me, Me, Me” and “Occasionally Nothing” by Natalie Menna. She played Belle in “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” and Goldie in “Two By Two,” directed by Martin Charnin. Other regional credits include “Norma Jean Enlightened,” “The Teffetas,” “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” “The Iceman Cometh,” “The Fantastiks” and “Noises Off.” She sang Glinda in a “Wicked” Broadway concert with the Rockland County Choral Society. HollyEOBrien.com
Anne Stockton has written and performed two solo shows that were directed by Austin Pendleton “The Speed Queen” (based on the novel of the same name by Stewart O’Nan) was performed at NJ Rep, United Solo Festival and Midtown International Theater Festival (Outstanding Performance in a Solo Show). “I Won’t Be In On Monday” was presented at Off the Wall Theater and United Solo Festival (Best One-Woman Drama). She has appeared OOB at HERE, Playwrights Horizons and Cubiculo among others, and has appeared on-camera in CBS’s “Blue Bloods” (co-star) and the films “Silent Partner” (co-star) and “But” (lead), among others. In her “day job,” she is an MD/Psychiatrist and has been an actor/trainer for the NYPD Hostage Negotiation Team and Emergency Service Unit.
Robert Greer (translator/director) is Artistic Director of August Strindberg Rep, which is a resident company of TNC. He has staged twenty Strindberg productions with the company to-date as well as English-language premières of contemporary Scandinavian playwrights, including Denmark’s Stig Dalager; Sweden’s Kristina Lugn, Marianne Goldman, Helena Sigander, Cecilia Sidenbladh, Hans Hederberg, Oravsky and Larsen, and Margareta Garpe; and Norway’s Edvard Rønning. He has also directed classics by Henrik Ibsen, Victoria Benedictsson, Laura Kieler, Anne Charlotte Leffler, and Amalie Skram. His productions have been presented at the Strindberg Museum and Strindberg Festival, Stockholm; Edinburgh and NY Fringe Festivals; Barnard College, Columbia University, Rutgers, and UCLA; Miranda, Pulse and Theater Row Theaters, La MaMa, Manhattan Theatre Source, Tribeca Lab, Synchronicity, TSI, and BargeMusic in NY; and The Duplex in LA. He has directed plays by Mario Fratti, Sartre and Corneille here in New York. He is a member of SDC, AEA and Swedish Translators in North America.
August Strindberg Repertory Theatre, under the direction of Robert Greer, is committed to productions of Nordic plays in new translations and interpretations that illuminate the works for today’s American audience. That is why TNC has taken this repertory into its family. Mr. Greer writes, “Strindberg Rep is deeply grateful to Crystal Field for having made us a resident company. Ms. Field’s support of new plays (and plays newly translated) has been a godsend to us. Her knowledge and experience of theater is a beacon guiding us and her unflagging devotion to the art of the drama and its artists is a role model for leaders of all cultural institutions.” Strindbergrep.com
October 2 – October 12, 2025
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM
Produced by the August Strindberg Rep at the Theater for the New City
155 First Avenue (at 10th Street) in the East Village.
