"A Streetcar Named Desire" takes a very long three-hour ride that leaves audiences depressed and wondering why we keep coming back for more of William's unique brand of Southern discomfort.
The only thing more uncomfortable than sitting through another interminable Tennessee Williams' play is the incredibly uncomfortable seating and environs of Studio 54, re-done with nothing
more than the basics to accommodate full theater seating. With a near synchronous and excellent revival of "Glass Menagerie," a poorly conceived new version last season of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," and the Manhattan Theatre Club's "Five By Tenn" last year, there's been more than
enough Tennessee to spread into all the surrounding states. It's difficult to find flaws in this new production or its performances. But there are, quite simply, no redeeming values except the opportunity to experience Tennessee Williams at his most angry and most hateful of
woman and the men who mistreat them. If there is a moral, it's that women must be able to take care of themselves; Williams would like women to avoid men altogether. There are no shades of grey in his New Orleans world; only women who are fully dependent on men and sex, no matter how mistreated they may be; and men who are despicable and base, no
matter how hard they might try otherwise. "A Streetcar Named Desire" takes a very long three-hour ride that leaves audiences depressed and wondering why we keep coming back for more of William's unique brand of Southern discomfort. John C. Reilly's performance is straightforward but he is exceptionally difficult to watch without envisioning
Marlon Brando's ruggedly handsome Stanley Kowalski. Reilly is a superior actor, but miscast here. Amy Ryan as Stella is adequate, but rarely displays emotional nuance or depth in a role that should provide emotional relief from the histrionics of Kowalski and Blanche DuBois. Natasha Richardson
offers a memorable and fully developed Blanche, but her role has been smitten with all of the worst characteristics Williams imposes on his female lead characters. Blanche is insufferable, with fleeting moments when she is sympathetic. This new production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" is true
to its heritage, which means it's insufferable and totally depressing.
Jack Myers Entertainment Report's entertainment rating system is based on a maximum of five jacks and a minimum of zero jacks. 0 = awful; 1 = pretty bad; 2 = okay
but don't go out of your way to see it; 3 = reasonably good but not special; 4 = very good and worth paying
attention to; 5 = exceptional. Opinions are based on my own likes, dislikes and preferences.
