A Streetcar Named Desire

 A Streetcar Named Desire
Almeida Theatre
Brooklyn Academy of Music
Harvey Theater
March 15, 2025 

Photo courtesy of Almeida Theatre
& Brooklyn Academy of Music

The Almeida Theatre production of A Streetcar Named Desire, now playing at BAM’s Harvey Theater, is a stark and daring interpretation of this Tennessee Williams classic.  To put a new stamp on such a well-known piece of theatre is no small undertaking, and director Rebecca Frecknall has skillfully succeeded.  She gathered a powerful cast with the courage to boldly make their mark on these iconic characters.  It is an emotionally driven experience.  

When Blanche (played by Patsy Ferran) visits her sister, Stella (played by Anjana Vasan) in New Orleans, she meets her brother-in-law, Stanley (played by Paul Mescal) for the first time.  They are immediately at odds.  Blanche is demure and from the old South, while Stanley is a blue-collar worker who bowls on the weekend.  Blanche breaks the news to Stella that they lost Belle Reve, their family estate.  Stanley suspects Balance of hoarding money from the sale of Belle Reve, so he starts asking around about her.  She had to leave Laurel, Mississippi when she was dismissed from her job teaching English at the local high school.  When Balance starts keeping company with Stanley’s friend, Mitch (played by understudy Eduardo Ackerman), there is hope for a fresh start for Blanche in New Orleans.  When Stanley reveals the scandalous secrets he uncovers about Blanche, any hope for her is lost. 

Paul Mescal, Patsy Ferran, & Anjana Vasan
Photo courtesy of Almeida Theatre
& Brooklyn Academy of Music

Patsy Ferran portrays Blanche as strong and determined.  This bold portrayal allows Blanche’s lies to be fully transparent.  Her vulnerable moments are truthful and empathetic.  Anjana Vasan’s Stella is an equal force to Ms. Ferran’s Blanche.  They go head-to-head a number of times, and always seem to meet on mutual territory.  Paul Mescal’s Stanley is grounded and secure.  Sparks fly the moment he and Blanche set eyes on one another.  The battle between them over Stella is clear and visceral.  Blanche strongly pushes back against Stanely, and neither of them back down.  Due to the way Stella responds to Stanley’s uncovering the truth about Blanche, the stakes are raised to a brilliant height.  These three actors create strong-minded characters, urgently driven and strikingly resolute.

Photo courtesy of Almeida Theatre 
& Brooklyn Academy of Music 

Tennessee Williams’ timeless writing shines with newness through the lens of this production.  Ms. Frecknall brings the deeper motivations to the surface, allowing the richness of the text to vibrantly ring.  The ghosts of Blanche’s past that haunt her every move are literally seen throughout the production.  They erode her confidence and ensnare her in her own fantasy world.

A Streetcar Named Desire is playing at Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Harvey Theater through April 6.  Get a ticket!

Domenick Danza