‘Desire’ rages in Russell

     Violence, sex, alcoholism and human emotion riddle Tennessee William’s play “A Streetcar Named Desire.”  The GCSU Theatre Department will be putting on this performance Feb. 21-25 in Russell Auditorium.
     Brock Fisher, an assistant professor and director, took on the challenge of putting on Williams’ most critically acclaimed work.
    “The department wanted to put on a Southern drama,” Fisher said.  “(‘A Streetcar Named Desire’) takes place in New Orleans which I thought fit the criteria.”
    There are 13 actors in the play, but around 35 students and faculty are helping with the production.  There are technical supports, musicians and people helping with the abundant props on the set.
    In 1947, “A Streetcar Named Desire” was performed for the first time on Broadway and later became a movie in 1951. Both starred Marlon Brando.  The leading character Blanche DeBois takes a streetcar to go visit her pregnant sister, Stella in New Orleans.  Feuds develop between Stella’s husband Stanley and Blanche.  Secrets are revealed about Blanche’s past and Stella struggles to choose sides.  She does not know who to believe, her sister or her husband whom she loves.
    The actors and actresses had four weeks to prepare for one of the most challenging plays GCSU Theatre Department has ever attempted.  In two weeks the performers learned their lines and were on their way to expertly understanding their character. 
    “The students worked ridiculously hard,” Fisher said.  “(‘Streetcar’) was hugely challenging.  I am happy with how it turned out.”
    Many of the lead characters were freshmen students, but this did not hold back the show.  Nick Thompson, a junior theatre major was impressed by the performances.
    “Everyone brought a lot of energy to their performances,” Thompson said.  “The freshmen all did fantastic.  Now (‘Streetcar’) may be one of my favorite plays.”
    With all the younger students performing, the alcoholic beverages consumed may have been disturbing or illegal, but rest assured nothing more than sugar water touched the performers’ lips.  The bourbons are tea; clear liquors are water, and the Southern Comfort is water with red dye. 
    “We just put stoppers on all the bottles,” Fisher said.   
    The music is also an impressive aspect to the show.  Dr. Richard Greene, chair of the Music and Theatre Department composed the music for the play. 
    “He started creating the music last semester,” Fisher said.  “He used new instruments that worked fantastically with the play like the wooden sticks that can be played like a drum.  I don’t know what we would do without his music; it completes the play.”
    The set does not change, but is extremely intricate.  There is a balcony with a stair case leading up to it, a kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom and the list goes continues.  The props are almost more impressive than the set.  Kathleen McGeever, the theatre chair, felt that this set was her most difficult project yet.
    “There were so many props involved with this set,” McGeever said.  “People are working hard setting up each scene.”
    Overall, the GCSU Theatre Department considers “A Streetcar Named Desire”  one of their best shows to date. 
    “It’s a long play, but it draws you in really well,” Thompson said.
    The show starts at 8 p.m., Feb. 21-24, and a matinee will start at 2 p.m., Feb. 25.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 23 2007. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry