Set in steamy New Orleans following World War II, this Pulitzer Prize-winning play tells the story of Blanche DuBois, a fragile woman desperately seeking a place to call her own. Blanche sashays into the home of her sister, Stella, and her volatile husband, Stanley, interrupting the careful balance of their turbulent marriage. The passionate conflict between these three struggling souls provides a thrilling emotional climax not to be missed. The quintessential gem of American drama made "purple."

A Streetcar Named Desire earned playwright Tennessee Williams his first Pulitzer Prize in 1948. The original Broadway production was directed by Elia Kazan and starred Marlon Brando and Jessica Tandy. When Kazan directed the iconic film adaptation in 1951, Jessica Tandy (despite receiving the premiere's only Tony Award for Best Actress) was replaced in the role of Blanche by Vivian Leigh, star of the 1949 London stage production. Several high-profile revivals of the play have been staged since the premiere, including the Lincoln Center production in 1973 starring Rosemary Harris and James Farentino and the 1992 revival at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre starring Jessica Lange and Alec Baldwin.

"We're excited and grateful to present the "purple" version of this great American classic, to dust off an old play and make it live in a new and dynamic way that honors the play and says something about who we are as a company," says PRTC artistic director Guy Sanville. "We hope people will take us up on the rare chance to see what many believe is the greatest American play in a professional venue."

Under the direction of Guy Sanville, the cast of A Streetcar Named Desire will feature PRTC resident artist Michelle Mountain (When The Lights Come On, The Subject Was Roses) as Blanche, Matthew David (Growing Pretty) as Stanley and PRTC associate artist Charlyn Swarthout (Escanaba In Love) as Stella with a supporting cast including Rhonda English (Born Yesterday, Orphan Train: An American Melodrama), Stacie Hadgikosti (Growing Pretty), PRTC resident artist Grant R. Krause (Growing Pretty, Sea of Fools), PRTC associate artist Qarie Marshall (The Poetry of Pizza), Hugh Maguire (Growing Pretty, The Poetry of Pizza), Tristan Peach, PRTC resident artist Phil Powers (Panhandle Slim & The Oklahoma Kid, Vino Veritas), and PRTC associate artist Rhiannon Ragland (Growing Pretty, When The Lights Come On).

Design for this production includes set by Daniel C. Walker, properties by Danna Segrest, costumes by Christianne Myer, lighting by Dana White and sound by Tom Whalen. Michelle DiDomenico stage manages with Stephanie Buck as assistant stage manager.

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January 22 - March 21, 2009