'Nora,' 'Dog Years' join Intiman lineup

Intiman Theatre has replaced two plays in its 2003 season with two smaller-cast works.

"Nora," Ingmar Bergman's five-actor adaptation of the Henrik Ibsen play "A Doll's House," will open the season in April, in a staging by artistic director Bartlett Sher. It replaces a previously set production of Molière's "Tartuffe," which required a cast of 10.

Intiman will also present "21 Dog Years: Doing Time @ Amazon.com," by former Amazon employee Mike Daisey.

Daisey's solo show takes a comic and critical look at the "tech bubble" and the lot of workers in go-go Internet companies. Daisey launched it here at The Speakeasy, and it played later Off-Broadway and was expanded into a book.

"21 Dog Years" replaces "Arsenic and Old Lace," a vintage comedy for a dozen actors.

According to Sher, no fiscal crisis prompted the changes. "The Intiman is doing great, but we're being extremely careful to make sure we prevail," he noted. "We're taking tactical, decisive measures to ensure we have as disciplined and strong a season as possible in this economic climate."

Sher also wanted to be sure to devote adequate resources to two big projects on his 2003 roster: the noted drama "Homebody/Kabul," which author Tony Kushner will revamp for its Seattle premiere, and the new musical "The Light in the Piazza," by writer Craig Lucas and composer Adam Guettel.

Rounding out the Intiman season is the Seattle debut of Joe Penhall's "Blue/Orange," a hit British play about the ideological struggle between two psychiatrists over the treatment of an immigrant patient.

More details about Intiman's season: call 206-269-1900.