The story centers on Blanche Dubois, a southern spinster who is forced by economic and social circumstances to sell the family home in the country and move to the city to room with her sister Stella and brother-in-law Stanley, arriving there via a fateful ride on a Streetcar named Desire. There she tries to escape the demons and mistakes of her past, finding a fresh start as a genteel lady and, hopefully, finding a husband who will take care of her and love her. But Blanche’s desires, weaknesses, and memories still haunt her. And her brother-in-law Stanley, angered by Blanche’s loss of the family home and the airs she puts on at his blue-collar expense, becomes determined to see that she is never able to escape the past she so desperately runs from.

Gifted second-year MFA director Joseph Ward delivers a tight, detailed, and nuanced production as he directs an exceptional cast of actors led by the brilliant performance of Katherine Sigismund as Blanche Dubois. Vulnerable, funny, and tragic, Katherine captures it all in one of the choicest and richly layered characters there is, her flaws and her hopes delivered so genuinely at every moment, driving home the story’s powerful conclusion. As Stanley Kowalski, Brian Slaten also creates a robust and very human character who has an easy likeability as a humorous, straight-talking, average Joe until you see his vicious dark side begin to seep out. Genevieve Hardison as Stella is a loving and nurturing wife and sister whose passion for Stanley softens and partially blinds her to his cruel side. And Mark Smith is terrific as the sensitive, awkward, and sincere Harold who believes he’s found in Blanche the perfect lady he has spent his life waiting for.

Performs through November 13, 2004.

Rob Hopper
San Diego Playbill