Sunday, April 12, 2009

Saw "Streetcar"

Last night Margie & I saw A Streetcar Named Desire at Wheaton Drama. The majority of the cast is really good, except for Jennifer Myers as Blanche. She's not good, she is transcendent. We saw the Steppenwolf production with Gary Sinise as Stanley. Jen is better than Steppenwolf's Blanche.

Chuck Berglund's direction never lets the show drag, which with this show is a major concern.

James Griffin is a good, solid Mitch. He doesn't disappear into Blanche's shadow (except when he is supposed to.)

Craig Witt is strong and menacing as Stanley. My only problem (and this is a directing thing, I think, rather than an acting thing) is that he's always strong and menacing. There are levels, but generally within the range of strong and menacing. When Stanley offers to bury the hatchet with Blanche, he's sincere -- he's in a good mood. That's why it's tragic that the offer comes too late for her to rationally accept it. It was played here as just another cruelty. For what he was asked to do, however, it's a terrific performance.

The set design (Penny Salvesen) & set dec (Marc Ludena) are better than most professional sets, as always. Aimee Kennedy's costumes are beautifully done.

The flores para los muertos look like flores para los toyland (which is really jarring), but if that's the worst thing I can say about a show, we're talking about a hit.

The majority of what is being presented is thoughtfully created and extremely well-done.

Jennifer Myers' performance as Blanche knocks it over the edge into Must See. There are very few theatrical performances for which I will get off my feet during curtain call as a mark of respect. Jen got Margie, me and many others standing up. I'm not kidding here, people -- it's a genius performance.

For ticket information: http://www.wheatondrama.org/

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