BWW Previews: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at Theatre Tallahassee

I knew the Theatre Tallahassee production of A Streetcar Named Desire had potential for a successful three-week run when, at the final dress rehearsal, I was still rooting for Blanche (Erika Stone) to have a happier ending by the time she met her fate.

The character of Blanche seems like one that would be easy to over-play, to lay on the accent too thick, to over-do the flirtatiousness, to snuff out the vulnerability that drives the dramatic behavior. Stone succeeded in exposing all the facets of Blanche, infusing subtlety when it mattered and capturing Blanche's nervous energy.

That nervous energy was mitigated a bit by Mitch (Daniel Gray) entering her life. It is easy to see Mitch as a steadying force, and he was, but that steadiness masked a pressure building up in Mitch that came to a head when he learned about Blanche's past. Everyone has their limits, even the "nice guys," and Gray skillfully evolved Mitch over the course of the show to the point that I as an audience member grieved the loss of his dream about a future with Blanche.

This show reminds us of a time when people were more overt about their prejudices. Stanley (Ken Catullo) never really overcame his "common Pollock" history in Blanche's eyes; his cruelty eventually transcended class and nationality with her anyhow. His mean nature peeked out long before the show's end, especially when he called pregnant Stella (Lacey Ritter) "fatty." Ritter's Stella demonstrated a strength through all of the animosity shown by her spouse; she said she needed kindness but Stanley rarely delivered. Stella, though, kept a spark of strength which her sister needed with times were the worst.

One element several actors in this show executed to perfection was counteracting their words with their actions. For example, Blanche's "I am not saying this in any reproachful way" was said in a definitely reproachful tone. Stanley didn't really sound like he was hating it when he said, "I hate to tell you the reason she got kicked out."

"Funerals are pretty compared to deaths," said Blanche early on in the show. It would be easy to perform this show the "pretty" way rather than the "gritty," way. Blanche, who said when she arrived at Stella's home that she didn't want to be anyone's problem, did not get her wish. Nor did she consistently create the joie de vivre she hoped to spread. She did, however, touch every other character somehow, and she touched the audience.

This cast succeeded in giving viewers the real thing. It wasn't easy to watch but it was authentic and intense. I walked out needing to share "the kindness of strangers" in order to sort out all the strong emotions it evoked.

Photo Credits: Andre Peele

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