Performing an intense drama like “A Streetcar Named Desire” requires concentration and stamina, said Joseph Mennella, who is portraying Stanley Kowalski in the Starlight Productions presentation of the play.
“You have to keep the energy up from start to finish and understand the relationship with the characters on stage at all times,” Mennella said.
“The play was written by Tennessee Williams in 1947, and it is considered by some to be one of the greatest plays of the century,” Mennella said. “We will stay true to the script, but make it our own. We will stay true to what made the show popular.”
“A Streetcar Named Desire” will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. May 5; 3 and 8 p.m. May 6; and 3 p.m. May 7 at the Copley Theatre in Aurora.
“A Streetcar Named Desire,” which received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1948, opened on Broadway Dec. 3, 1947, and closed on Dec. 17, 1949, after a total of 855 performances. The Broadway production of the show was directed by Elia Kazan and starred Jessica Tandy as Blanche DuBois, Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski, Karl Malden as Harold Mitchell and Kim Hunter as Stella Kowalski. The 1951 film of the same name featured Brando, Hunter and Malden re-creating their Broadway roles and Blanche Du Bois being portrayed by Vivien Leigh.
The story begins as Blanche DuBois is looking for a new start after losing her family’s home in Mississippi. She travels to New Orleans, La., to live with her sister, Stella, and her brother-in-law, Stanley Kowalski. Blanche’s future appears to look bright until she clashes with Stanley. When dark truths about Blanche’s past begin to emerge, her world comes apart at the seams in a spiral of violence and madness.
“A lot of people like the show because it is a classic,” Mennella said. “In 1947 it was a new play. There was a rawness to it, and Marlon Brando was a big part of that.”
Mennella believes the Stanley Kowalski character is an attractive role.
“I am not a fan of what he does, but I find it interesting how he does it,” Mennella said. “Stanley is brutish, blue-collar and passionate. I think the passion he has for Stella is often overlooked. He really loves Stella.”
Mennella has performed in many plays over the years with groups including Theatre-on-the-Hill in Bolingbrook and Wheaton Drama in Wheaton. He also has acted in such independent films as “Black Ruby” and “Adios Vaya Con Dios,” both from Ave Fenix Pictures. Starlight Productions out of Batavia is a new theatrical company founded by Mennella.
“I am co-producing the show with Michael Fudala,” Mennella said. “Michael is also directing the play.”
Mennella has put a lot of energy into the production.
“For me, the challenge has been all the preparation work that has gone into the character,” he said. “I’ve done prep work that is on par with preparing for a Shakespeare role. There is emotional preparation and you examine layers of everything. Also, there has been a lot of rehearsals.”
Randall G. Mielke is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.
‘A Streetcar Named Desire’
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When: May 4-7
Where: Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
Tickets: $15-$22
Information: 630-896-6666 or www.paramountaurora.com