Marywood’s Music, Theatre and Dance department will perform “A Streetcar Named Desire” in the The Sette LaVerghetta Center Theatre for Performing Arts on Oct. 6 and 7.

Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for non-Marywood students. Admission is free for members of the IHM and anyone with a Marywood ID. Curtains open at 7:30 p.m.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the play, written by Tennessee Williams in 1947. It follows Blanche DuBois as she moves in with her sister Stella Kowalski and husband Stanley. Blanche’s presence creates conflict between Stella and Stanley and strains their relationship.

The production is being directed by the Theater Program Director, Charles Gorden, who talked about the importance of the message of the American drama.

“I think the thing that holds up about it is the question how much do we sacrifice in the name of progress or advancements and how much we sacrifice in ourselves in terms of beauty, art, poetry. That conflict that constantly exists, and in our culture today, it’s still there.”

All the leads in the show are played by Marywood students. Undeclared sophomore Melina Barry and senior music and theater major Ken Doyle are playing the parts of Blanche DuBois and Stanley Kowalski respectively. Sarah Wagner, a senior theater major, is playing the role of Stella Kowalski. She discussed how she prepared to play the role and the process of bringing her character to life.

“The process includes lots and lots of homework. Actors are expected to be studying and analyzing their scripts nightly with any show, but I can honestly say I’ve worked harder on “Streetcar” than I have with any other show.” said Wagner.

“Throughout these readings, I analyzed… the social economics of the play, style of the play, and characters’ actions and objectives.”

Wagner goes on to describe how she put herself in the “Stella” mindset.

“After this process, I focused on Stella specifically. Who she is, how she grew up, how she speaks, what drives her, what are her worst fears, and lastly, my lure to the character, or what connects me to her,” said Wagner.

Wagner describes her time with the production as something unique.

“This is a huge show to produce in about five weeks. Unlike Marywood’s other main stage shows, we also have student designers for light and sound. Marywood students really got the opportunity to creatively impact this show unlike ever before; and the entire cast and creative team has worked so hard to make something truly special.”

For more information on the production or ticket information, call (570) 347-6211, ext. 6097.

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