University Theatre presents ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’

The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s University Theatre wraps up its 2007-08 season with an American classic set in pre-Katrina New Orleans, where everything is hot, from the heavy air to the heady emotions.

Tennessee Williams’ "A Streetcar Named Desire" explores the perils of self-deception in a tightly woven, lush tale that will open Saturday, April 19, in the UW–Madison’s Mitchell Theatre.

The original production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" opened on Dec. 3, 1947, to a half-hour standing ovation. It helped make the names (and careers) of Marlon Brando, Jessica Tandy and Tennessee Williams. One reviewer wrote, "Williams is certainly the Eugene O’Neill of the present period." The play ran for 855 performances.

Norma Saldivar, head of the UW–Madison MFA directing program, will direct University Theatre’s production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Saldivar, currently interim director of UW–Madison’s Arts Institute, was recently honored by the provost’s office as a "UW–Madison Outstanding Woman of Color." In addition to her directing and teaching responsibilities, Saldivar is in demand as a freelance director around the region, with recent projects taking place in Milwaukee and Champaign-Urbana, Ill.

"Many people are familiar with the Marlon Brando movie, but it doesn’t get performed as often on stage," says University Theatre director Tony Simotes. "This is a great opportunity to see it live."

The story tells of Blanche, an unstable, fading Southern belle who has come to live with her younger sister, Stella, in a New Orleans working-class neighborhood in 1947. Tensions between Blanche and Stella’s husband, Stanley, quickly heat up, as both are strong-willed and have claims to the attentions of the pregnant Stella. Blanche begins a romance with Mitch, a friend of Stanley’s, which is soon threatened by the reappearance of her unsavory past.

MFA actors Clare Haden and Stephanie Monday will play Stella and Blanche, respectively. MFA actors David Wilson-Brown and Steve Wojtas will play Stanley and Mitch.

UW-Madison student designers, including Ken George (sets), Maggie Foss (costumes) and Greg Hofmann (lights), will re-create 1940s New Orleans. Guest sound designer Josh Schmidt joins the team straight from a critically acclaimed off-Broadway production of a new musical based on Elmer Rice’s "The Adding Machine."

"A Streetcar Named Desire" will run on weekends from Saturday, April 19-Monday, May 5, in the Mitchell Theatre at Vilas Hall. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and matinees begin at 2 p.m. Individual tickets for all productions are $20 general public or $14 for UW–Madison students. Discounts are available for children, senior citizens and Friends of University Theatre.

Purchase tickets at the Vilas Hall Box Office, 821 University Ave., or (608) 262-1500; at the Wisconsin Union Box Office, 800 Langdon St., or (608) 262-2201; or order online and view the calendar.