“A Streetcar Named Desire” is the classic Tennessee Williams’ story of Blanche DuBois who comes to visit her sister Stella and her sister’s brute of a husband, Stanley, in the Quarters in New Orleans. It is a story of mental illness, desperation, abuse, and so much more. The classic story just had a very interesting presentation at the Harvey Theatre of BAM in Brooklyn, as it was done with barely any set, but somehow managed to work.
The production had terrific, innovative direction by Rebecca Frecknall. She took the liberty of restaging some important moments but did them with a decency and respect for what the character was undergoing in the moment. Patsy Ferran was triumphant in the role of Blanche; she had a nervousness, sadness, and desperation that truly came across. She had her guard up at all times because she knew the personal baggage that she had bought with her as she spent the summer with her sister and brother-in-law. Anjana Vasan was quite engaging as Stella. She had an innocence, but also a common sense, calmness, and delightful passion for Stanley, which was demonstrated in some very passionate moments; and Stella did not realize that her marriage was a problem until her sister came to visit. Paul Mescal as Stanley was unforgettable. He was a brute who delighted in controlling his household. Although he had been wronged by Blanche verbally from the time that she arrived, she did not deserve what he decided was her punishment. Mescal played the character with cruelty, but also a sensibility that grabbed your attention.
Janet Etuk was stunning and memorable as Eunice, Stella and Stanley’s upstairs neighbor. Eunice and Steve (played by Alexander Eliot), had an interesting give and take relationship that involved some yelling and threats, but there was love as well. Stanley’s other friends Mitch and Pablo were impressively performed, at the performance I attended Eduardo Ackerman portrayed Mitch (usually performed by Dwane Walcott) and Pablo was played by Curtis Patrick (usually performed by Eduardo Ackerman). Jabez Sykes was innocent and vulnerable as the Young Collector for the local paper subscription. Gabriela Garcia was very versatile as she played multiple roles with ease—flower seller/nurse/singer.
This was “A Streetcar Named Desire” that embodied creativity, imagination, passion, pity, desire and lust. For information on other BAM shows, visit www.bam.org.