Slog - Comments on A Streetcar Named I-Wish-Mommy-and-Daddy-Would-Stop-Fighting

Comment by umvue

umvue — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:52:18 -0800

"...more vulnerable." ?!

Now I'm ascared.

Comment by Raven

Raven — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:57:47 -0800

Yes! Thanks for validating my amateur opinion that the music was the real tragedy in this story. It made me wince every time it struck.

Comment by Will in Seattle

Will in Seattle — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:59:59 -0800

What I want to know is: who in the cast or production are Stranger staffers sleeping with?

And why did they break up with the other one?

Comment by David Schmader

David Schmader — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:58:33 -0800

I agree with Brendan and Christopher and disagree with Jen and Mary McCarthy.

The woman who played Stella was the standout, but I thought the actors behind Blanche and Stanley both brought something new to the roles. This Stanley was weak--he audibly grunted when he lifted both Blanche and Stella, much to the chagrin of Ms. Graves--and casting Stanley's bad habits (spousal abuse, sister rape) as the work of a scared weakling was inspired. As for this Blanche, she was a real-live drunk, not some elliptical '50s drunk, and this paid off in both the early scenes (where she flits around twitching for a fix) and in the (spoiler alert!) rape scene. (Because the only thing worse than raping your wife's sister is raping your wife's sister's unconscious body.)

But the sound design is a hate crime.

Comment by David Schmader

David Schmader — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:03:03 -0800

Also, Sheila Daniels is dead wrong in stating Brando failed to find the humor in Stanley.

For proof, consult the scene when he first meets Blanche, and talks about the girl who once told him, "I am the glamorous type."

Comment by Scott Dow

Scott Dow — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:59:44 -0800

It is a dated turd of a play.

Don't be so provincial Seattle.

And B.K., why do you bother with such tripe?
What is next, a review of 'Guys and Dolls'?

Comment by michael strangeways

michael strangeways — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:56:13 -0800

I don't think "Guys and Dolls" is currently being produced in Seattle, which is sad because it's a classical American work, but thanks for playing.

Apparently Mr Dow would like to see something fresh and contemporary on stage; might I suggest a production of "High School Musical" or a staged reading of his favorite episode of "The Hills"?

Comment by Frank Sinclair

Frank Sinclair — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:07:35 -0800

@6,I have a lawyer acquaintance who understands more about theater than you.

On a related note, I wonder what ercentage of the cast actually lives in Seattle?

Comment by brueso

brueso — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:29:51 -0800

I'll remember Shelly Reynolds and Tim Hyland- because they made smallish roles interesting and seemed like actual real people. Stella and Mitch weren't especially memorable, but didn't throw the piece too far off track.

Can't say that about the two leads. I'll remember their performances only as an example of how easy it is to fall into cliched performances of those characters. Since when casting the leads, Intiman generally seems to require a resume including appearances on "Law and Order', it's interesting how unexceptional these out-of-town folks often are. Anyone remember diddly squat about the performance by Bart's choice for Richard III? If these folks were 'stars', at least you'd understand that they are needed to put asses in the seats.

I agree with David S re Brando's humor. To counter this, SD seemed to interject yuks were there weren't supposed to be any (like when Stanley is tearing thru Blanche's suitcase)- which forced a hamfisted return to the anger/resentment that is supposed to be there.