ATG’s Tennessee Williams Festival Runs January Through December 2011

Celebrate the 100th anniversary in 2011 of the birth of one of America's preeminent playwrights. The Albuquerque Theatre Guild's Tennessee Williams Festival features works by and about the writer performed by local theater companies. Highlights of the Festival include an original production written for the event by Tricklock Company, a rarely performed play set partly in the Southwest about Williams' time here with his lover, and the revival of the musical tribute, "Cat on a Streetcar Named 'Iguana.'"

"The 2011 Tennessee Williams Festival centennial is our way of celebrating a prolific and influential playwright," says Preston Mendenhall, Albuquerque Theater Guild's President. "We've been working for about a year to bring together as many companies as possible to commemorate the event. As the Festival continues throughout 2001, we're sure we'll be adding to the schedule."

The Festival debuts with a special, one-weekend production at the Adobe Theatre of "Mr. Williams and Miss Wood," directed by Phil Bock. This play by Williams' biographer Max Wilk tells of the 30-year relationship between the playwright and his supportive and powerful agent. Audrey Wood was one of the first to recognize Williams' talent and to arrange for the productions of his plays. She also represented him in Hollywood where several of his works became movies.

2011 Tennessee Williams Festival Schedule (all dates and times subject to change)
January 7 - 8 at 8, Sunday, January 9 at 2.

Mr. Williams and Miss Wood by Max Wilk, directed by Phil Bock. A play about Tennessee Williams and his long-time agent Audrey Wood at the Adobe Theatre, 898-9222.

March 25 - April 17, Fridays and Saturdays at 8; Sundays at 4.

The Traveling Companion and A Cavalier for Milady by Tennessee Williams, directed by Rose Provan at Desert Rose Playhouse, 881-0503. The first play is a late self-portrait by Tennessee Williams in which a famous author (Vieux) checks into a Manhattan hotel room with only one bed accompanied by a much younger man (Beau) who may or may not be hustling. The second play takes place in what at first seems a normal atmosphere-an elegant Victorian parlor on Park Avenue, where two sixty-plus well-to-do matrons are preparing to go out for the evening.

March 25 - April 17, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30; Sundays at 2.

The Night of the Iguana by Tennessee Williams, directed by Leslee Richards at Vortex Theatre, 247-8600.

July 22 - August 7, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 2.

Rancho Pancho by Gregg Barrios, directed by Diane Malone. A play about Tennessee Williams and his lover Pancho Rodriguez, at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, produced by Camino Real Productions, 247-1909. This play chronicles the tempestuous love affair between Williams and Rodriguez, who inspired the character of Stanley Kowalski.

September 30 - October 9. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 2.

The Eccentricities of a Nightingale by Tennessee Williams, directed by Shepard Sobel at UNM's Experimental Theatre. Alma, an educated, soft-spoken and somewhat shy woman is infatuated with the handsome doctor next door.

September 29 - October 2. Thursday at 7, Friday & Saturday at 8, and Sunday at 2.

A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, directed by Salomé Martinez-Lutz at National Hispanic Cultural Center, a production of Teatro Nuevo Mexico.

October 20 - 29, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7.

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, directed by Ralph Adkins of the Albuquerque High School Drama Department.

Nov 17- Dec 11, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 2.

A Tricklock Company original show, inspired by A Streetcar Named Desire, featuring Tricklock Company in a strange and magical tale of love, sex and death at UNM's Experimental Theatre.

December 2011 (dates TBD)

Cat on a Streetcar Named 'Iguana' by Phil Bock, a musical spoof and tribute to Tennessee Williams at The Adobe Theatre, 898-9222.

For details on these productions and other Tennessee Williams Festival events visit www.abqtheatre.org.

About Albuquerque Theatre Guild

More theatrical performances take place every weekend here in Albuquerque than in any other U.S. city of its size. Our mission is to promote public awareness of theatre in the greater Albuquerque area, to encourage the growth of theatre audiences, to foster cooperation and collaboration among the member organizations, and to facilitate and assist the work of individual members involved in all aspects of theatrical production.

 

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