Intiman Theatre’s A Streetcar Named Desire

Review: A Streetcar Named Desire

Angela Pierce as Blanche DuBois and Jonno Roberts as
Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire at Intiman Theatre

Intiman Theatre opens the month of July with an ambitious production of A Streetcar Named Desire with all the explosive drama and display of human emotion you expect from a Tennessee Williams play. Prepare yourself for a full evening of drama with this production. The first half lasts a prolonged 90 minutes followed by 55 minutes for Act II.

First, some important background about the play’s writer Tennessee Williams. Born in 1911, the famous playwright moved to New Orleans in 1939 and 8 years later his successful play, A Streetcar Named Desire, opened on Broadway and would win a Pulitzer Prize for Drama the following year. A film adaptation would come in 1951 featuring most of the Broadway cast and starring a sexy young actor named Marlon Brando.

Marlon Brando in 1951

Unfortunately, all references to homosexuality (about Blanche DuBois’ former husband who committed suicide) were removed from the film, because of censorship issues that were common during that era. Due to McCarthyism the country was steeped in conservatism and many attacked the playwright Tennessee Williams because of his homosexuality.

Tennessee Williams

Williams gay relationship with companion Frank Merlo lasted for over 15 years until Merlo’s death in 1963 from cancer. Following his partner’s death Williams was treated harshly by critics, battled frequent episodes of depression, and struggled with drugs and alcohol. Sadly, as Williams continued to write during the 1970’s, he was derided by critics.

In Intiman’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire the important character of Stanley Kowalski is played exceptionally well by Jonno Roberts, who masters the big loud mouth voice and powerful presence of Marlon Brando’s iconic role. However, without a doubt, Brando was more gorgeous and this Stanley never even takes off his shirt. Equally important is the character of Blanche DuBois, Stella’s sister, played by Angela Pierce. Blanche is a difficult dramatic role for an actress and Pierce nails it.

Unfortunately, the performance of the infamous scene with Stanley yelling “Stella!” up to the window happens way to fast and seems to be without the passionately slow and carefully seductive walk by Stella that defined the film version.

The parallels between the life of playwright Tennessee Williams and his characters are surprising similar. In a way Williams life is represented by both Blanche DuBois, who battles mental health and addiction issues, and Blanche’s former gay husband, branded as a “degenerate” by everyone including Blanche.

Much like the ominous ending for Blanche in his play, the death of playwright Tennessee Williams came unceremoniously in 1983, at the age of 71, while choking on a bottle cap in a hotel room in New York City.

A Streetcar Named Desire runs through August 2, 2008 at the Intiman Theatre with tickets ranging in price from $10 to $48. Patrons aged 25 and under can purchase tickets to any performance for $10, pending availability. A limited number of $20 rush tickets may be available for purchase 15 minutes before curtain time, pending availability. The ’Round Six Happy Hour is Friday, July 25 at 6 pm with complimentary pre-show snacks, drinks and live music. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.intiman.org.