A Streetcar Named Desire

         "Stella" most people are familiar with the film clip of a young Marlon Brando screaming this name in a white tank top. There are probably very few who actually know what this snippet is from. More familiar is the line "I have always relied on the kindness of strangers". Both of these famous quotes are being recited 8 times a week at The Broadhurst theater in an excellent multi racial revival of Tennessee William's A Streetcar Named Desire.

        Fewer people still probably realize that there actually was a streetcar named Desire in New Orleans which ran from 1920-1948. It ran down Bourbon street, through the Quarter, to Desire st. in the bywater district of New Orleans and back up canal. The tragic anti heroine of the piece, Blanche  Du Bois arrives saying "They told me to take a streetcar named Desire, transfer to one called Cemeteries and ride six blocks and get off at Elsyian Fields!".

        I wont bother summarizing the play, as many of you have probably either read it or seen it, and if you haven't, you definitely should. The current revival, as previously stated, uses a multi racial cast which most of the time doesn't matter, but sometimes does. For example, Stanley Kowalski is described as a working class man of polish decent. There were no black people in Poland at the time this play takes place, so they never mention his family name.

        Also, the entire premise of the play, if truly thought about, is historically implausible with people of color in the lead roles. That being said, if you put that thought of your mind, it's a truly excellent production of an American Classic.

   In the role of Blanche Nicole Ari Parker is the perfect blend of regal southern belle and fragile woman on the edge. She brings a humor to the role of Blanche that isn't always present, but at the same time you feel that at any moment she may break. Blair Underwood brings his raw masculinity to Stanley, and it is obvious why Stella is so attracted to him. He is magnetic, and frighting at the same time. Daphne Rubin Vega as Stella does not disappoint.

    The entire play is not only beautiful to listen to, it's beautiful to watch. Thanks to fantastic direction from Emily Mann. The set design by Eugene Lee and costume design by Paul Tazewell complement each other brilliantly. Terrance Blanchard's score is almost an additional character in the piece. It is part of what makes this revival so vibrant. The music is the driving force behind the action.

   This revival plays until Sunday July 22nd at The Broadhurst Theater. There are student tickets, and the show is frequently on the TKTS board. There are also discounts available at Broadwaybox.com