" A Streetcar named Desire" is the 1951 classic Broadway play gone film which stared Marlon Brandon and Vivien Leigh which is being performed at the Chino Community Theater.
Opening night for any play can be a shaky night for the performers and production staff for even the most prestigious of productions. Opening night was the night I saw " A Streetcar named Desire", the runaway Broadway hit which played originally in 1947 on Broadway. The play was then turned into a film in 1951and stared Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh. The film adaptation of the play, won several awards, including an Academy Award for Vivien Leigh as Best Actress in the role of Blanche. In 1995, it was made into an opera with music by Andre Previn and presented by the San Francisco Opera.In all honesty the only version of this play I had seen before beginning my research was the episode of the Simpson in which Marge Simpson plays Blanch and Ned Flanders plays the crazed Stanley.
The Stanley`s famous cry to "Stella!!" was born from this movie, and is one of the most famous movie quotes to this day.
The Chino Community theater rendition stars Tony Collins as Stanley Kowalski and Jessie Henderson as Stella Kowalski. In "A Streetcar" we meet this young couple who live in their one room apartment in the heart of New Orleans and whom get visited by Stella`s delusional sister Blanch, played by the extremely talented Melodie Henderson. I was truly blown away by the incredible range in emotion she flawlessly portrayed throughout the emotional roller coaster which was this play.
Stella (McLean) stole the heart and sympathy of all the women in the audience with her incredible love and devotion to her abusive husband. All the while the audience fought along with a mad Stanley to try to piece together the mysterious past which seems to continually haunt the now worsening mental health of Blanch.
There was a tremendous help by the supporting actors which not only enriched the New Orleans feel, but who also helped us better understand the times in which the story was taking place. The flamboyant neighbors/landlords, Eunice and Steve played by the Joyce E. Warhop and Marshall Evans add a healthy portion of comic relief, with Steve's womanizing ways, and Eunice`s Matter of fact attitude, while friends Mitch, played by Nick Prelesnik help us see deeper into Blanch`s madness in their short lived love affair. Poker buddy Pablo, played by Sekla Lay and the "Negro Woman" played by beautiful sounding Shari Southall help to round off the wonderful play and memorable theater experience.
My night at the theater started with dinner at the now extremely popular Owen`s Bistro. Underrated, is really the perfect word to describe the quality of food and ambiance you will experience. Reservations are recommended, a little bit of luck got me in with same day reservations."A Streetcar named Desire" is just one of the many examples of what great talent we hold so close to our homes, and is a great depiction of how a great play, after a great meal can make for a most perfect Friday evening.
Best of all the Chino Community Theater will give you a $3 discount with your Owen`s Bistro receipt.
Dates for the play are as follows:
8pm shows: Sept. 19, 20, 26, 27, Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11
and at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 28 and Oct. 5.
This is a great chance to get out and see what kind of hidden talent your local community has to offer!
and is not a part of nor affiliated with the City of Chino Hills.