By Jennifer Mustoe
The Echo Theater in Provo has consistently presented quality theater in its wonderful space. On Saturday, my husband, son and I went to their smaller space, The Echo Microbox Theater Project, across the street to see their excellent production of A Streetcar Named Desire. None of us had ever seen it, but who hasn’t seen the Marlon Brando scene where he is screaming, “Stella”? No one in the free world, I’d bet.
In this small space (Microbox is well-named), it is intimate and very in-your-face. And since Streetcar isn’t a comedy, be prepared for this show to pull you through some strong emotions and leave you feeling unsettled. It isn’t a happy show. Tennessee Williams isn’t known for his fun plot lines. But in true Williams’ fashion, this play causes us to look at ourselves, ponder, question and hopefully resolve some of those questions–about our relationships, our lives, how we look at others and other deep subjects that should be pondered from time to time.
There wasn’t a weak actor in the bunch. Stanley, played by Trevor Christensen, took this complicated, violent, fiercely loving man and did him proud. In some scenes, his intensity made it difficult to watch, but who could look away? His layers were palpable, distressing and very real. Ali Kinkade was perfect as Blanche Dubois, Stella’s older (by how many years?) sister. Without revealing any spoilers, her last scene is frighteningly touching. Kinkade showed Blanche so fragile, so needy, so ashamed, she made my family and I hurt. A lot. Stella, Stanley’s equally passionate wife, and sister to Blanche, played by Heidi Anderson–who also did the marvelous costuming–was amazing. Again, her last scene as she sobbed was her best, but that only means that her whole performance was very, VERY good. (After the show, it was obvious the toll this performance took on her. She was fragile and unsteady–as this kind of play forces you to be as an actor, if you do it right. She did it right.) The long-suffering Mitch was endearingly played by Michael Hanks. Hanks has a tough role to get a hold 0f. Not as violent by half as Stanley, he goes from sweet, loving and hopeful to ragingly menacing in the last act of the play. Hanks does this well and seeing his shame at this behavior made him lovable and pitiful. An excellent performance.
The other cast members were just as fabulous and I only wished that all could be principles. I will look for them in local theater and hope they are able to land leading roles in their next shows. They were all spot on perfect. They were: Eunice (McKenzie Steele Foster), Steve/Young Man (Nick Estrada), Neighbor/Flower Vendor/Matron (Rachael Noxon), Pablo/Tamale Vendor/Doctor (Francisco Acosta.)
Director David Liddell Thorpe handled this play with a deft and compassionate hand. There is much movement in this small space (don’t lounge in the front row with your feet out–you’ll get kicked) without it looking messy or mooshy. It was at times chaotic, but it’s supposed to be.
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The Echo and its sister space are on 100 East in Provo. I have to smile at what patrons of local restaurants think of Thorpe’s choice to use the front window and the OUTSIDE OF THE THEATER as part of his stage. Yes, Stanley is OUTSIDE when he’s screaming. “Stella!” My family and I loved this device. An innovative and unexpected use of this area.
I am not going to give you a synopsis of the storyline. You can find that on Wikepedia and I would imagine most patrons are familiar with what happens in Streetcar anyway.
I HIGHLY recommend this production. It is inexpensive and well worth the price. The audience was small and this is a shame. This show deserves a packed house every performance. Because of its very deep, adult themes and in-your-face domestic violence, I would say this show is for mature teens and up.
A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams
September 4th thru 20th – Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30 PM
THE ECHO’S MICROBOX THEATRE PROJECT, 15 N 100 East, Provo 84606
$8.00, discounts for seniors, students and military.
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