‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ continues at Clear Space Sept. 25

Clear Space Theatre’s production of “A Streetcar Named Desire” will continue at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25. 

New York City performer Sami Griffith, as neurotic Southern belle Blanche DuBois, leads the cast and audience on a dramatic ride in Tennessee Williams’ renowned drama.

“It’s a wild roller coaster we all get on together,” said Griffith, who describes Blanche as one of her favorite roles. “I always connected to the role and love how complicated she is. She never gives up, even as her options become fewer and fewer.”

The play reveals Blanche as a woman whose life has been undermined by her romantic illusions, which leads her to reject reality and create her own imaginary world. The story is set in the two-room New Orleans apartment where Blanche’s younger sister Stella Kowalski, played by Mackenzie Jones, lives with her earthy husband Stanley Kowalski, played by Jacob Waldron. When DuBois unexpectedly arrives to stay for an undetermined amount of time, emotional turmoil takes over the lives of these three characters.

“A Streetcar Named Desire” exemplifies the often dark and grotesque Southern Gothic genre as Blanche’s identity dwells in an unrealistic plantation era.

Griffith, who studied Tennessee Williams, said she, Waldron and Jones, all longtime friends, had performed “A Streetcar Named Desire” when they studied at CAP21 Conservatory & Industry Practicum in New York City. Griffith, who has been a professional performer for a decade, cut short a national tour due to the pandemic and learned about the opportunity to play the part through Waldron and Jones. A strong supporting cast helps bring realism to the stage.

This is the second production Mary Caligiure has directed at Clear Space in 2020. She directed “Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night” in February. Show sponsors Ida and Jeff Rowe join season sponsors Alice and Alfred Willis to help bring “A Streetcar Named Desire” to the Clear Space stage.

The show runs through Sunday, Oct. 4, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7 p.m., and Sunday performances at 3 p.m. Tables for 2 or 4 are available. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to clearspacetheatre.org.