The passion of Stanley and Stella...

It is clear to me why New Orleans is the setting for this incredible play of passion, desire, and devastation.  Having spent much time in the city, and particularly in the Quarter, I finally understood when people would say that a city had a heartbeat.  Just walking the streets of the Quarter, I could feel the life, the passion, the soul of this city.  It breathed.  I could feel every inhale and exhale of it's existence.  This was a place that brought me back to life, after several years and started me on a new journey, allowing me to release my old self, which had become such a tired, 'ruin' of my former self.  

This city is one of the most electrifying and passionate places on earth... not romantic, like Florence or Paris - but, Passionate, primal, raw.   

This city is part of the fuel in the fire between Stella and Stanley Kowalski.  It is a magical city, a place of power and raw emotion that pushes and prods these two people into emotional oblivion.  When these two characters are on stage, something electrifying occurs.  A pulsing heartbeat is felt... something inexplicable, something deep... 

The passion between them could be compared to that of pure primal, animalistic  emotions.  They need each other, they ache for each other and, in some sense, they are each other.   

Even the abuse thrown on Stella is wrought with a passion so deep, that only when they are together, does any of it make any sense...

 There has been some debate amongst our cast about whether Stanley cheats... whether Stella stays with him after Blanche is sectioned... why AND how they got together in the first place...

What fuels Stanley's anger... his abuse... his control?  Stella's own attempt at control?  Or, is it something else...Blanche?

 What of his heartfelt, desperate plea for Stella to return home to his bed... Why does she do it?  Why does their need for each other overpower what is sensible...  What is he really fighting for?

 Stella?  Stanley?  Blanche?  ... What is the dangerous co-dependency they share, fight against, Run from and run right back to...

The actors taking on these roles must be able to draw on a deep connection, while trusting and understanding each other.   As we finish up blocking in our production, it is my hope that Juliet (Stella) and Titus (Stanley) will be able to let go and allow the elements of Stanley and Stella,  already inherent within each of them, push through. 

New Orleans vs. Nawlins...

Dialect is always a major consideration when doing a piece such as Streetcar.  Of course, I always look for clear authentic dialect development... you know, forming the words and sounds naturally; not mimicking; listening to people of the local area and learn all the formation and resonation points. But, the question is what level of dialect should we approach.

In a small regional show such as this one, we should not over do it or over think it.  A true and honest hint of the dialect will be our primary goal...

Many of the actors came into the rehearsals with a hint of authenticity in their dialect already, while others brought a general southern drawl into the work.  Over the next few weeks, we will be working to localize the southern and accentuate the already developing accents.

Here is a little NPR tidbit to get everyone started...

NPR New Orleans Dialect 

We are underway!

Rehearsals are underway!  

Character and scene work has begun for the principal characters and we pull in the full featured and principal cast on Monday for the first full readthrough.  Already we have made great headway into the text... the hard questions have been asked, some answers found...  we are ready to look head on into the next 7 weeks.

I will plan on making regular updates and insights on Tuesday / Wednesday, so be sure to watch for next week's post.  I will be looking at one actress's questions as she approaches her challenging role in the show.

I have cast the lined ensemble roles and had a single change to the cast, so take a look at the lineup! 

• WOMAN  - Tabitha Carroll
• EUNICE HUBBEL - Jennifer Sivers-Shrader
• STANLEY KOWALSKI - Titus Wolverton
• STELLA  KOWALSKI - Juliet Howard-Welch
• STEVE HUBBEL - Mike Frazier
• HAROLD MITCHELL ('Mitch')  - Daniel Wilson
• BLANCHE DuBOIS - Cassandra Engber
• PABLO GONZALES - Geoff Moss
• YOUNG COLLECTOR  - Josh Katawick
• UNDERSTUDIES  - Jennifer Wilson, Austin Smith
• DOCTOR - Austin Smith
• NURSE - Jennifer Sparks
• MEXICAN WOMAN - Diana Hart
• SAILOR / MAN - Brandon Saldivar

More Next week!

To Mitch... or not to Mitch...

I haven't had too many inquiries regarding Harold 'Mitch' Mitchell... Just 3 or 4, but all but one have asked the same questions or expressed the same issues:  

'I want Stanley, but may not be (fill in the blank with one of these) physically right/attractive enough/ a good enough actor... so I am going to try for Mitch...'  

Ok, guys... Just so you understand - Mitch is a wonderful character.  A sensitive, gentle, loving man, who is drawn to Blanche.  Perhaps he sees what is under all the protective pretense that she armors herself with (which I think he does) and falls for her.  He truly cares for Blanche by the point in the play where she talks of her 'young husband'.  She opens up to him and expresses something that could actually lie at the root of much of her emotional trauma.  

The actor who is cast as Mitch will indeed be a strong and talented performer.  He will have a powerful onstage chemistry with the actress playing Blanche and will be an important emotional anchor for the production.  I really feel that the connection that Blanche and Mitch develop is just as powerful as that of Stella and Stanley, but as their relationship is condemned and manipulated from the start by Stanley, it is doomed.  Mitch is not a 'consolation' role, as many of the actors who have contacted me feel he is.  The actor playing Mitch, must be just as emotionally powerful as the actor playing Stanley.  It will be a challenge, but to be honest, Mitch is one of my favorite characters in the play. 

Some general Mitch background... He lives with his dying mother.  Perhaps this is why he is so sensitive.  He is a gentleman, well raised, with integrity and a sense of what is right.  As far as age, he should fall in the playing range of 30's.  Physically... well, we can't get around the scriptual description.  Let's just say  'Sweaty, clumsy, big guy, enjoys working out and moral sensitive women...'  And, perhaps even a walk on the beach.  Mitch and Blanche are initially drawn together out of a need of companionship.  But, while she is with him, the tiny expressions of trust are soon overshadowing Blanche's need to continue with her facade and we see a little of the inner workings of her soul.  

I have to wonder -- if the two of them had been left to their own devices and developed a relationship away from Stanley, if he would have become that chivalric hero she always wanted and needed.  Perhaps, she would have finally found that person who could love her... and she could have dropped the false facade, let go of all the pretensions and learned to love herself.  


If only...

Streetcar is on track at WTF in Massachusetts...

 Streetcar is making the rounds this season...

 

A few years ago, I spent part of my summer in the Berkshires and had the opportunity to see a wonderful production of Romeo and Juliet at the Williamstown Theatre Festival with Emmy Rossum as Juliet.  Granted, that was when the festival was still under the Artistic Directorship of Roger Rees...

Now, several years later, WTF is producing another play that lies so close to my heart.  Getting pretty good reviews, this production is only suffering from minor 'nit picky' issues.  Still open through this weekend, so if you are going to be anywhere near Williams College (or Northern Mass or Southern Vermont -- see it!) 

WTF Streetcar Page

Williamstown Theatre Festival produces A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Just an FYI.

A little photographic inspiration...

So, wanted to put out a couple of nice little pics from one of my many visits to New Orleans... for a little inspiration.  Will add my normal Tuesday post tomorrow... to discuss Blanche and Stella...

A Streetcar, as it travels down St. Charles in the Garden District, near Tulane University...

This is actually on Elysian Fields...

This is in the Quarter....

 Also, in the quarter...

 At Cafe Beignet on Bourbon... none of that Cafe du Monde nonsense for me... Best beignets are in the quarter in CB.

Finally, a building in Laurel, Mississippi...

Until Tuesday.

The Streetcar is getting a little closer everyday...

It is becoming apparent that STREETCAR is working it's way closer and closer to Xenia, as we prepare for the upcoming auditions.   

Many potential cast members have contacted me to introduce themselves and I am always happy to get those 'Actor Introduction messages' as an audition approaches.  It gives me the chance to 'meet' my auditionees ahead of that stressful audition day.   Also, excited to hear from some of my past students and theatre colleagues who are coming out to audition.

At present, my only issue is finding the right Assistant Director and Stage Manager.  Will be putting out an 'all call' for both positions soon.

If anyone knows of a potential directorial team member, send them my way!