BWW Reviews: City Theatre Presents Mesmerizing STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

There aren't many plays that are more difficult to take on than A Streetcar Named Desire. Few plays are held in such high esteem. The outstanding film version forever captured Marlon Brando's role of Stanley Kowalski in the immortal medium of celluloid and solidified his place as a Hollywood star. But even before the film, the play about a Southern Belle on the verge of a breakdown and the friction between her and her rough and tough brother-in-law had won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It's arguably Tennessee Williams' masterwork and is considered by many, including yours truly, to be the finest American drama ever written. Though some may disagree with me, the tragedy of Blanche DuBois would mop the floor with that of Death of a Salesman's Willie Lowman.

Given the reputation and respect that the play has earned in the 60 plus years since its debut, any theater company producing A Streetcar Named Desire should go into it with some trepidation, but there's no sign of any in the City Theatre's exceptional production. Director Jeff Hinkle has created A Streetcar Named Desire that is effective, gritty, intense, and entirely captivating. There's a clear and meticulous attention towards creating a detailed and nuanced world, and Hinkle masterfully brings out all of the subtext and symbolism from Williams' iconic work but does so with delicacy and subtlety.

Andy Berkovsky's set and lighting creates a New Orleans that is dark, dusty, and dirty but somehow glamorous. The subtle flickering of the lights adds to the idea of Blanche's fragility, and the set, a mix of real and surreal playing spaces, feels like an amalgamation of Stanley's harsh, cold, reality and Blanche's romantic, idyllic world of fantasy. The intimacy of the space and the tight, confined set also creates an intense pressure cooker in which the eventual confrontation between Blanche and Stanley feels inevitable. Costume designers Lindsay McKenna and Bert Flanagan have done a fine job as well. The gorgeous and detailed period dresses worn by Blanche stand out amongst the intentionally plain outfits worn by everyone else, further establishing Blanche as someone who does not fit in this unforgiving environment.

While the entire cast is excellent, A Streetcar Named Desire truly hinges on its four leads, and it's rare that any production in Austin has a quartet of actors as strong as this. In the role of Mitch, Clay Avery does a great job at playing the innocent, charming, occasionally goofy and awkward love interest, and his transformation into a calloused brute is believable and downright scary. As Stella, Laura Artesi is nothing short of brilliant. It is a challenge to win the compassion of a modern audience when you're in the role of a woman who consistently accepts the abusive behavior of her husband, but Artesi consistently has our sympathy. Her performance is real, honest, and heartbreaking, and the decision to play Stella as a woman who tries and fails to stand up to her abusive mate is a refreshing and bold choice that makes her fate all the more upsetting.

Of course, even the strongest productions of A Streetcar Named Desire will fail if the two leads of Stanley and Blanche are ineffective, and I am overjoyed to report that the City Theatre's leads are beyond outstanding. As Stanley, Tim Brown makes you completely forget the Marlon Brando interpretation of the character. Brown makes you look at the character as if you are seeing him for the first time. Even his take on the often parodied cry of "Stella!" feels fresh and new. While Brown more than captures the explosive temper of the character, he also adds layers and levels to the classic American antagonist. Instead of playing the role as nothing more than an angry, violent animal, Brown adds in some humor, wit, sarcasm, and even sensitivity that make Stanley more human. Doing so makes the character even more disturbing and horrific.

Likewise, Rachel McGinnis Meissner gives a tour de force performance as Blanche DuBois. From the moment she takes to the stage, you realize that this will be a performance to be remembered. Her Blanche is fragile, desperate, and deeply flawed, tenuously trying to keep her hold on what's left of her life and her sanity. There's something almost voyeuristic about watching her performance. Meissner constantly draws us in; while we always want to know what's going on in her head, Meissner smartly refuses to give us everything all at once. Her subtle, well-crafted expressions and ticks clue us in, but we're always left wanting to know more.

With its strong direction, design, and cast, City Theatre's A Streetcar Named Desire is a triumphant achievement. You'd be hard pressed to find a better production of this Tennessee Williams classic. If you, like Blanche, have always depended on the kindness of strangers, then depend on them to get you a ticket to this remarkable production.

Running time: Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE plays The City Theatre at 3823 Airport Blvd, Suite D, 78722 now thru August 18th. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 5:30pm. Tickets are $10-$25. For tickets and more information, visit www.citytheatreaustin.org.

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