Wheaton Drama tackles Pulitzer Prize-winning drama 'Streetcar'

There weren't many Marlon Brando references during the rehearsals for Wheaton Drama's production of "A Streetcar Named Desire."

Instead, the cast and crew is determined to put their own twist on Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, which opens Friday night at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St., in downtown Wheaton.

"That's what I love about theater," said James Griffin, who plays the part of Harold "Mitch" Mitchell. "It's your own interpretation of what the author wrote. You don't want to get into an area where you are just imitating what you've seen on the screen."

Griffin is referring to the 1951 movie version of "Streetcar" and its iconic moment where Brando's character Stanley Kowalski screams,"Stella!"

In the play, Stanley - Stella Kowalski's brutish and dominating husband - clashes with his wife's sister, Blanche DuBois, when she's forced to move into the couple's New Orleans apartment. Tensions rise between Stanley and Blanche, a former English teacher and socialite, when he relentlessly questions her past and pretensions of virtue.

Charles A. Berglund said directing Wheaton Drama's version of "Streetcar" was both an exciting opportunity and a daunting challenge.

"You look at it and think, 'This is wonderful,'" said Berglund, a Naperville resident. "At the same time, you think, 'What have I gotten myself into?' This is such a classic of American theater that you don't know if you could do it justice."

In addition to Griffin as Mitch, the cast includes Jennifer Myers of Glen Ellyn as Blanche, Suzanne Reeves of Naperville as Stella, and Craig Witt of Bolingbrook as Stanley.

Berglund says Griffin, Myers, Reeves and Witt all have very difficult and demanding roles. "To get actors who could carry those roles was a challenge," he said. "We knew that going into it."

For example, Berglund concedes that when people think of Stanley, they think of the actor who made the role famous.

"Well, we're not Marlon Brando," Berglund said. "We can't do it the same way. We shouldn't do it the same way. We have to make it our own - put our stamp on it."

While not a mirror image of the classic film, Griffin said he believes the cast does give the play "the justice it deserves."

"It takes a lot of work to do that," he said. "You don't want to put on a bad performance."

The actors aren't the only ones who will be working hard on opening night. With at least 130 lighting cues and about 50 sound cues, Berglund said the play is highly demanding for the production staff.

Still, he says he's pleased with the results, adding that the production should appeal to a wide adult audience.

"It's dealing with some really basic and human relationships," Berglund said.

Due to adult language and themes, viewer discretion is advised.

"Streetcar" is produced with special permission by Dramatists Play Service, Inc. Wheaton Drama's 2008-2009 season will conclude in June with the musical "City of Angels."