SOUTH BEND — The University of Notre Dame’s film, television and theater department presents “A Doll’s House 1954” from Nov. 9 to 12 at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.

Adapted and directed by Carys Kresny and based on the 1879 play by Henrik Ibsen, the new work shifts the action to the post-war United States, where Nora and her husband rejoice in his promotion and, finally, their shot at the American Suburban Dream.

It’s Christmas, they’re in love, and life is beautiful — until a long-held secret is forced to the surface and everything they’ve believed about themselves, their friends and their world explodes.

In the play, as in life, relationships are messy, no matter that social scripts pretend they’re not — and it’s hard to be honest, even with the people you love.

The play features 20th century idiomatic speech and American 1950s culture as it confronts desire, gender and social roles, and the struggle to live truthfully in a prescriptive society.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 to 11 and at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 12.

Tickets are $15-$7.

For more information, call 574-631-2800 or visit performingarts.nd.edu.