The Gentleman Caller

The Gentleman Caller

Abingdon Theatre Company

Cherry Lane Theater

May 26, 2018

Photo courtesy of Abingdon Theatre Company

Philip Dawkins’ play, The Gentleman Caller, had a very successful New York City debut with Abingdon Theatre.  Poetically written, the play chronicles the meetings between Tennessee Williams and William Inge in 1944.  Mr. Dawkins captures the unique voices of both well-known American playwrights.  The action of the play reveals the sensitivity and personal turmoil that drove the creativity, success, and emotional isolation of both men.

As the Arts Critic for a newspaper in St. Louis, William Inge (played by Daniel K. Isaac) meets with Tennessee Williams (played by Juan Francisco Villa) for an interview a few months before the Chicago opening of The Glass Menagerie.  Tennessee Williams has not yet tasted the success that is just ahead of him, and William Inge only dreams of becoming a playwright.  Their meeting is fraught with conflict.  Both men are heavy drinkers and highly attracted to one another.  Williams is excessively flamboyant and openly speaks his mind, while Inge is closeted and turned off by Williams’ brazen directness.  When they part, Inge gives Williams an early draft of his play to read. 

Juan Francisco Villa & Daniel K. Isaac
Photo courtesy of Abingdon Theatre Company

Their second meeting is a few months later, after The Glass Menagerie has opened in Chicago.  The conflict and attraction between the two men accelerates.  Inge confesses his overwhelming admiration for Williams.  Williams tells Inge that his play is brilliant and passes the script to his agent.  While Inge is invigorated by the opportunity to start his life over as a playwright, Williams warns him of the dark abyss that awaits him.

Daniel K. Isaac & Juan Francisco Villa
Photo courtesy of Abingdon Theatre Company

Juan Francisco Villa portrays Tennessee Williams as a vibrant, energetic, and brooding man who is very sure of himself.  He suffers from devastating mood swings, haunted by his sister Rose’s “madness” and his fear of following in her path.  Daniel K. Isaac portrays William Inge as introverted, fearful, and refined with no self-confidence or self-empowerment.  His despair leads him to attempt suicide before this second meeting with Williams.  Director Tony Speciale keeps the tension between these two fine actors building in both acts of the play, allowing the themes in Mr. Dawkins’ superb writing to rise and stand strong.  The ending of the play is powerful and heartbreaking, as you see the path of both men’s lives take a turn as a result of their meeting. 

Scenic design by Sarah C. Walsh is an outstanding combination of reality and impressionism.  Lighting by Zach Blane and original music and sound design by Christian Frederickson enhance the atmosphere of the setting and allows for introspective moments by both characters.

Unfortunately, the Abingdon Theatre production of The Gentleman Caller closed on May 26.  Keep your eyes and ears open for future productions of this play and additional works by playwright Philip Dawkins.

Domenick Danza