Arts & Entertainment

'Streetcar' a fierce, honest look at desire

By Bridget Brown
The Daily Cougar

To desire; its definition is to long for, to hope for.

In Tennessee Williamsi 1947 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, the delicate, subtly tragic southern belle Blanch DuBois describes desire as a rickety old streetcar that bangs through the French Quarter taking her where she is not wanted and where she is ashamed to be. 

The newest stunning production from the Country Playhouse, A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by Bob Maddox, is a fierce and honest portrayal of human urges. 

The play, set in New Orleansi French Quarter after World War II, deals with the issues of sex, money, greed, violence and, of course, lust. The fact that most of these subjects were considered taboo during the time-period when the play was originally written brings out its intensity even more.

The play tells the frantic story of the pathetic emotional and mental downfall of a determined, yet fragile and repressed southern lady, Blanche DuBois, born to a once-wealthy family of Mississippi planters. Her impoverished, tragic demise in the French Quarter apartment of her married sister, Stella, and bestial brother-in-law, Stanley, is at the hands of brutal forces in modern society. 

All three of the main characters are beautifully portrayed in the Country Playhouse production. Michael Ali stole the show with his animalistic vigor as the man youill love to hate, Stanley Kowalski. Meghan C. Hakes plays the role of Stella Kowalski -- timid women, wounded wife — quite convincingly.

Ali and Hakesi stage chemistry convinced the audience that they are truly a young married couple dealing with the stresses of having a baby on the way. The sexual tension between the two is immense. Ladies, if you arenit convinced to see this play, picture this: Ali is a Vin Diesel look alike, and he does several of the scenes without a shirt. Talk about sex appeal.

Lara Herme plays Blanche with skill and grace, although she did ham up the lying, insane, aging role of the belle a little bit too much.

The Country Playhouseis stage makes the perfect backdrop for the simple sets. The French Quarter apartment looks small and confining, putting all three of the main characters in an almost constant state of tension. The lighting was beautifully done, fading in and out of scene, and focusing in on the character in view. The play was almost audience interactive, with performers walking down the isles.

Streetcar is haunted by mortality. The theme works on different levels for each of the characters in the play. Blanche is unable to come to terms with the force of her own desire. She is repelled by Stanley but fascinated with him at the same time. She is both angry and jealous of Stella for sleeping with a "Polack."

Stella has chosen a life built around her strong sexual relationship with Stanley, and Stanley is a man comfortable with desire and satisfying his physical needs. Sex is part of what makes him function as a person. His notion of women is straightforward, and he makes no excuses for being sexually self-controlled.

A Streetcar Named Desire at the Country Playhouse was a brilliant production and a definite must see. Youill laugh, youill cry and youill relate to the characters on so many amazing levels.

The play runs through Feb. 8; show time is 8 p.m. every night. Tickets are $15. Visit www.countryplayhouse.org for more information.

A Streetcar Named Desire

The Country Playhouse, 12802 Queensbury Lane (Town & Country Mall)

Director: Bob Maddox

The verdict: The play was outstanding, deeply sensual and moving. You will desire more.

 Send comments to dcshobiz@mail.uh.edu