A Streetcar Named Desire
by Tennessee Williams
Directed by Eric Lucas and Mark A. Rhea
Washington Examiner
"A Streetcar Named Delightful"
"Of the 60-plus professional theatrical groups in the DC area, none has a better track record of consistent quality than the Keegan Theatre. . . [the production] blows away memories of previous productions of this play . . . the acting is beyond reproach . . .All in all, Keegan’s “A Streetcar Named Desire” is live theater at its absolute best. ..."-Doug Krentzlin
- (review on Page 21 -- Arts)
Washington Theater Review
". . . a solid, fast-paced, and moving production. . .sparkles with clarity"
". . . The Keegan Theatre opens a solid, fast-paced, and moving production of Tennessee Williams’ classic confrontation of reality and illusion. . . the production moves quickly, sparkles with clarity, and remains faithful to Williams’ themes. . . "--Deryl Davis
The Washington Post
"persuasive performances and intelligent direction... "
"Mark Rhea's Stanley Kowalski is riveting ... persuasive performances and intelligent direction by Eric Lucas and Mark A. Rhea make for a largely gratifying three hours ... Susan Marie Rhea and Mark Rhea are plausible and engaging as Stella and Stanley Kowalski... you can sense the surging sexual tensions, and the power struggles, between the characters. ... Williams's hothouse flower of a drama is more sturdy than one might suspect...."-Celia Wren
Arlington Weekly News TV - Rich Massabny
"Keegan Pretty Much Owns the Franchise on 'A Streetcar Named Desire.' See This!"
Locally -- and in Ireland where they also perform -- the Keegan Theatre, in my opinion, pretty much owns the franchise on A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams. ... Kerry Waters was made for the role of Blanche .... Mark Rhea is tremendous and foreboding... Keegan productions have depth and texture.... See this! -Rich Massabny
Washington City Paper
"Keegan Explores 'Streetcar's' Comic Potential"
"The current Keegan Theatre production [of Streetcar] ... explores the play's comic potential: The first thing he-man Stanley Kowalski does when he sees his ripe, pregnant wife, Stella (Susan Marie Rhea), is to throw a package of meat at her. ... Blanche's affectations should and do get laughs. .... Susan Marie Rhea gives us a frisky Stella, avoiding the pitfall of playing her as a frump or doormat. ..."-Janet Hopf
DC Theatre Reviews
"Kerry Waters as Blanche is truly amazing!"
"If you desire an evening of quality theatre by one of the most respected theatre companies in the area, Keegan’s mounting of A Streetcar Named Desire should be on your short list . . . Blanche, Stella and Stanley come alive at Church Street . . . you can feel the sweat, hear the jazz horns and feel the tension in the back of your neck just as if you knew these depressing and angry but colorful characters . . . Kerry Waters as Blanche is truly amazing . . .the technical aspects of the show were without fault . . ."--Walter Ruff
Curtain Up
An accessible Streetcar...
" . . .the show provides an interestingly accessible -- and perhaps more meaningful -- look into Williams' French Quarter denizens. . .
the staging features a wonderfully rundown set as well as costumes, lighting and sound design that creates the landscape of the 1940's. . .in Ms. Waters' capable hands, the role of Blanche suddenly becomes the voice of reason in the play. . . Mr. Rhea's Stanley is a mercenary beast with a short fuse -- cold and calculating -- who in the ending minutes of Act One has seemingly already plotted out his revenge on Blanche . . .just waiting for the right moment to exact it." --Rich See
Sun Gazette
Keegan’s production captures the spirit of this Tennessee Williams classic.
"Tennessee Williams’ New Orleans is soaked in corruption, lassitude, booze and moral ambiguity.
Keegan Theatre’s production of Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire” evokes that atmosphere . . .Mark Rhea is perfect for the role of Stanley. . . Keegan’s production captures the spirit of this Tennessee Williams classic. --Brian Trompeter
All Arts Review 4 U
"Put this show definitely on your must-see list . . ."
"a masterful cast ... Kerry Waters has never been finer ... Susan Marie Rhea proves to be an exceptional Stella ... Mark Rhea's Stanley is wonderfully menacing while still attracting empathy ... Eric Lucas gives a prized performance ... put this show on your MUST-SEE list"--Bob Anthony
Potomac Stages
"A Searing Production ... "
"Mark and Susan Rhea make the relationship between Stanley and Stella a clear case of can't-keep-their-eyes-off-each-other love ... [Eric] Lucas' Mitch grows from shy and retiring to hopeful and even slightly daring before being crushed by reality in a splendidly balanced performance. ... Kerry Waters' emotional deterioration is well modulated..."-Brad Hathaway
Read the full Potomac Stages Review here.
Critical Acclaim From 2005 Ireland Tour
"Keegan Theatre presents this dark American Classic with aplomb and pace and they allow it to glisten with Williams's wit and polish. . . Kerry Waters restrains Blanche's madness and decay with disciplined poise and gives a gripping portrayal . . . Mark Rhea as Stanley, more animal than man, prowels and roars through the play with thoroughly convincing physicality and mulishness and Susan Marie Rhea sparkles as his wife Stella . . ." "Keegan Theatre presents this dark American Classic with aplomb and pace and they allow it to glisten with Williams's wit and polish. . . --Matthew Harrison, Galway Independent
". . . Keegan Theatre captures the sordid and raucous character of the French Quarter under the directing of Mark Rhea and Eric Lucas on George Lucas's convincing set . . ."
--Brian Lavery, Irish Times
". . . a marvellous thrill. . . superb event . . . an absolute joy to witness . . ." "Their love of the author's work always shines through . . ." ". . . you feel you were looking in the window on these very real characters' lives . . . a touch of poetic magic. . . Another triumph for the Keegan. . ." --Pius Meagher, Kilkenny People
A Streetcar Named Desire Performance Calendar
at Church Street Theater -- EXTENDED! Two shows added - Fri-Sat, Dec 2-3
|
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
|
10/23 - dark |
10/24 - dark |
10/25 - dark |
10/26 - dark |
10/27 - dark |
10/28- 8 PM |
10/29 - 8 PM |
|
10/30- 2 PM |
10/31- dark |
11/01 - dark |
11/02 - dark |
11/03 - 8 PM |
11/04 - 8 PM |
11/05 - 8 PM |
|
11/06 - 2 PM |
11/07 - dark |
11/08 - dark |
11/09 - dark |
11/10 - 8 PM |
11/11 - 8 PM |
11/12 - 8 PM |
|
11/13 - 2 PM |
11/14 - dark |
11/15 - dark |
11/16 - dark |
11/17 - 8 PM |
11/18 - 8 PM |
11/19 - 8 PM |
|
11/20 - 2 PM |
11/21 - dark |
11/22 - dark |
11/23 - dark |
11/24 - dark |
11/25 - 8 PM |
11/26 - 8 PM |
|
11/27 - dark |
11/28 - dark |
11/29 - dark |
11/30 - dark |
12/01 - dark |
12/02 - 8 PM |
12/03 - 8 PM | Images from the show
Reviews from Keegan’s 1999
production of A Streetcar Named Desire
Directed by Steven Scott Mazzola
The Keegan Theatre's 1999 production at Gunston Theatre II
“Consistently terrific… Streetcar fans will definitely have something to talk about on the ride home…” - The Washington Post
“Keegan scores another hit with a Williams classic … Rhea gives Stanley his own scary, explosive interpretation…”-Channel 33
“…the unspoken animal tension between Kowalski and DuBois is so palpable that you can almost hear and feel their heavy breaths…”-Sun Weekly
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