The Group Rep presents
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Written by Tennessee Williams
Directed by L. Flint Esquerra
Produced by Kellie Brook Malone for the Group Rep
We very rarely experience hot, steamy nights in North Hollywood, but the Group Rep must have been channeling Tennessee Williams so the mood would be set for his wonderful play, and the first production of their 41st Season, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. How wonderful that we see Stanley Kowalski, his Stella, and of course the irrepressible, Blanche DuBois, which makes the night even more steamy.
Tennessee Williams won a Pulitzer Prize for his memorable play set in the hot and steamy French Quarter of New Orleans. The ultimate Southern Belle, Blanche, (the exceptional Diedra Celeste Miranda) has come to visit her sister, Stella (wonderful Anya Profumo) to tell her that they have lost their family’s plantation Belle Reve. Stella lives in a small, lack luster apartment with her husband Stanley (talented Daniel Kaemon). Stanley is crude, rough and raw in nature, oozing sexuality, and emphatically lives by Louisiana’s Napoleonic code “what belongs to the wife, belongs to the husband, and vice versa.” We are treated to the famous Marlon Brando cry, “Stella, hey, Stella!” Daniel Kaemon does it justice.
One of Stanley’s friends Mitch, played by Kent Butler becomes infatuated with Blanche, and a romance ensues. Neighbors Eunice (LizAnne Keigley) and Steve (J. Kent Inasy) confirm the neighborhoods essence and help Stella when Stanley has a few too many on one of those hot nights. Laura Coker sharing the role of Eunice, Francisco Medina as Pablo Gonzalez, Cathy Tomlin as Negro Woman, Garrett Wagner as a Young Collector, Laura Coker and Natalia sharing the role of Mexican Woman, Linda Alznauer as the Nurse, and Edgar Mastin as the Doctor, each and every one bring credit to this outstanding production.
Director L. Flint Esquerra has made this a memorable production for the Group Rep. Chris Winfield again gives us a wonderful set, and lighting, costumes, sound all contribute to bring it all together successfully.
Blanche DuBois is genteel with that look of innocence, but shrewd and tough as nails, albeit close to a breakdown. As Blanche says, “a woman’s charm is 50% illusion”. This is the essence that is Blanche DuBois. And that is the essence of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. A MUST SEE!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Enjoy!!!!!!!!!
Cast: Linda Alznauer, Kent Butler, Laura Coker, J. Kent Inasy, Daniel Kaemon, LizAnne Keigley, Edgar Mastin, Francisco Medina, Diedra Celeste Miranda, Anya Profumo, Natalie Santamaria, Cathy Tomlin, Garrett Wagner and Gina Yates
Director: L. Flint Esquerra
Producer for the Group Rep: Kellie Brook Malone
Set Design: Chris Winfield
Lighting Design: Robert Murdock
Costume Design: Angela M. Eads
Sound Design: Steve Shaw
Fight Choreographer: Brian Danner
Dialect Coach: Glenda Morgan Brown
Public Relations: Nora Feldman
Graphic Design: Doug Haverty + Art & Soul Design
Postcard Featured Painting: Diane Millsap
Program: Drina Durazo
Lonny ChapmanTheatre
10900 Burbank Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Reservations: www.thegrouprep.com or (818) 763-5990
Tickets: $15 - $25 (Admission: $25; Senior/Student: $20; Groups 10+: $15)
Runs: July 25 – September 7, 2014
Plays: Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm
Sunday Matinees at 2pm
Talk-back Sundays with cast after the show – August 3 & August 24
Running Time: 2 hrs. 45 min plus one intermission
Parking: Ample street parking on Burbank Blvd. and on Cleon Ave. south of Burbank Blvd.
