The Triangle

Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Mark Garvin

As part of their 200th anniversary season, the Walnut Street Theatre is presenting Tennessee Williams' iconic 1947 play, "A Streetcar Named Desire." The Pulitzer Prize winning drama that went on to great success on Broadway and launched the Hollywood career of Marlon Brando made its first debut a little over 60 years ago on the very same stage. The show has truly come full circle with its intense and passionate performance at its birthplace.

The show, set in the 1940s French Quarter of New Orleans, tells the story of an aging Southern Belle's decline into madness. Blanche DuBois has lost the family's Mississippi plantation and with no place left to go she travels to see her younger sister, Stella.

Blanche struggles to accept the common life Stella has chosen as well as the man she married. Stanley Kowalski is handsome, hot tempered and unconvinced of Blanche's innocent act. Their constant fighting comes to blows in an intense scene full of confusion, betrayal and violence.

The award-winning cast brings new life to the renowned show, especially the performance of Susan Riley Stevens as Blanche. Stevens captures the roller coaster of Blanche's emotions convincingly while generating sympathy for the broken woman. Her highs and lows are captivating as viewers watch the journey toward rock bottom. Jeffrey Coon, as Stanley, gives the strongest performance of the evening in his portrayal of what could have been simply an angry brutish man. His love for Stella and mistrust of Blanche were exceptionally real and palpable.

Under the direction of Malcolm Black, the cast as an ensemble brings the tragic story to life with exceptional power and talent. The actors inhabit their characters as if they were a second skin and their relationships to one another second nature.

Technically, the show is astounding. Set and lighting designer, Paul Wonsek, created the set with such attention to detail and personality. Stella and Stanley's apartment serves as the single location for all the action, and its cleverly crafted layout makes for the perfect movement of action.

The transition from indoors to outdoors is always seamless. Ellis Tillman, costume designer, brings the characters to life and tells the audience so much about the characters arc through his costume choices. The contrast between the wilting Southern lady and her quiet, yielding sister are made even more apparent through these costuming decisions.

"A Street Car Named Desire" has captivated audiences for generations and this performance of it is no exception. The themes still ring true after over sixty years making the three-hour run time well worth it. The show runs through Mar. 1 at the Walnut Street Theatre. Ticket pricing run from $10-$60 and more information is available at www.walnutstreettheatre.org.

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