The Players Centre News www.theplayers.org
838 North Tamiami Trail • Sarasota, FL 34236 • 941.365.2494
July 7, 2016
THE PLAYERS CENTRE IN CONJUNCTION WITH TWO CHAIRS THEATRE COMPANY
PRESENTS “A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE” OPENING SEPTEMBER 1ST
Sarasota, July 7, 2016 – The Players Centre for Performing Arts prepares for their 87th Season in September with the 1948 Pulitzer Prize winning drama by Tennessee Williams, “A Streetcar Named Desire.” This American Classic will run September 1st thru 11th with both 7:30pm and 2pm matinee showings. “A Streetcar Named Desire” is often regarded as among the finest plays of the 20th century, and is generally considered to be Williams’ greatest. This show is not a part of The Players’ regular Broadway Season, but instead will prime the stage just before season with this joint venture between the 87 year old theatre and the fledgling Two Chairs Theatre Company.
Story: The play takes place right after World War II. After the loss of her family home, a destitute Blanche DuBois travels from her small hometown to the New Orleans French Quarter to live with her younger, married sister, Stella, and brother-in-law, Stanley Kowalski. During one of Stanley’s poker parties, Blanche meets Mitch, one of Stanley’s poker buddies. Their chat becomes flirtatious and friendly, and Blanche easily charms him.
Stanley explodes in a drunken rage and strikes Stella. Blanche is bewildered that Stella would go back with him after such violence. As the weeks pass, Blanche and Stanley continue to not get along. Blanche eventually suffers a complete mental breakdown and is to be committed to a mental hospital. Blanche goes willingly, saying, “Whoever you are, I have always depended upon the kindness of strangers.”
The Director of the play and the Founder of The Two Chairs Theatre Company, Elliott Raines, explains, “Most playwrights, once the play is written, consider their words sacrosanct; not to be changed in any way whatsoever–Not Tennessee Williams. He was constantly re-writing his plays during production. In fact, last year’s production, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”, Mr. Williams’ 1955 Pulitzer Prize Winner, was significantly re-written by him at least three times, the last of which, re-written for a 1974 production, was the basis for our production last season.”
He continues: “A Streetcar Named Desire”, holds a special place for me. Themes of mental breakdown and deterioration are all too often ignored, or relegated to the fringes of our society. Much of my legal career in New York City centered on working with the mentally ill through the court system. Any light that can be shed upon this forgotten population is greatly appreciated.”
The period costumes are designed by Ross Boehringer. Ken Junkins is Technical Director while Seth Berry handles Sound Design.
Performance Dates:
September 1-11, 2016
September 1, 2016 is Opening Night
September 1-3,7-10 at 7:30 p.m.
September 4 & 11 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets:
$25 Regular
$30 Premium (rows A-E)
$12 Students 24 and under with valid ID
Group rates:
Groups of 10 – 24 save 25% ($18.75 each)
Groups of 25 – 74 save 30% ($17.50 each)
Groups of 75 or more save 35% ($16.25 each)
Cast:
Blanche Alana Opie
Stanley Chris Hines
Stella Lauren Ward
Steve Joshua Brin
Eunice Lynne Doyle
Mitch Allen Kretschmar
Pablo Dylan Jones
Collector Ren Pearson
Doctor John Forsyth
Nurse Grace Vitale
