Binghamton University, brace yourself for what director Anne Brady describes as a passionate story about love, survival, family and what lengths we go to achieve our dreams.
‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ is set to open this weekend in the Anderson Center’s Chamber Hall at 8 p.m. on Oct. 15, 16, 22 and 23, and at 2 p.m. on Oct. 17 and 24.
Written by Tennessee Williams, the play is set in New Orleans in the 1940s and follows the lives of the characters through their passionate and violent acts. The production stars BU senior RJ McGhee as Stanley Kowalski, and Rebekah Baker as Blanche DuBois.
The show begins with Blanche arriving at Elysian Fields Avenue, where her sister, Stella Kowalski, and brother-in-law, Stanley Kowalski. Blanche was trying to escape a troubled past. Blanche meets Stella, played by Wendy Abels, who follows the routine of a typical housewife while trying to dress seductively for her husband, Stanley.
As the play progresses, the relationship between Blanche and Stella is tested ‘ as is the line between what is right and wrong regarding women’s roles in the 1940s. Everyone involved in the show, especially the cast, has dedicated a lot of time and energy to ‘A Streetcar Named Desire.’
Auditions were held last spring and rehearsals, which were held from 7 to 11 p.m. every weekday, as well as six hours every Saturday, began as soon as school started.
Stage manager Aaron Rubinstein said students should come see the show to experience a new world, a world of different values and ways of thinking than theirs ‘ a world that makes them question their world.
‘The characters in the play act on passions and do what they need to survive in the world,’ Rubinstein said. ‘We, as a culture, have lost a sense of discourse of human interaction.’
Although the play is old, it deals with relatively contemporary issues. Also, the main characters of the play are in their early 20s, making it easy for college students to relate to them.
‘This play puts on the stage issues that we all have and feel, but fail to let live in us,’ Rubinstein said. ‘Students should come see this American classic to be moved and experience a deep human connection that they don’t get every day.’
Brady agrees.
‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ is certainly an American classic, a Pulitzer Prize winner and one of the most famous American plays that has ever been made into a movie. Students will respond to the sensuality, the violence and the passion of these characters.’
Tickets are on sale at the box office in the Anderson Center, and unless sold out, they will be sold until 15 minutes into each show. Tickets are $8 for students, $12 for faculty, staff and senior citizens and $14 for general admission.
In addition to seeing the show, you also get the opportunity to attend the ‘talkback’ session of the show, which will be held directly after the Oct. 17 matinee performance Sunday.
Anyone with a ticket for any of the shows is welcome to come hear the actors and directors discuss their thoughts on the play and on performing it. Audience members can relay their impressions of the show, in addition to asking any questions of the actors, director, artistic staff or crew members. BU English department professor Joseph Church will also be there to answer any questions on the text itself.