Imago Theatre revives Tennessee Williams's iconic tragedy, A Streetcar Named Desire

A Streetcar Named Desire is the story of a traumatized Blanche DuBois, a former Southern Belle unable to face reality when she moves into a cramped New Orleans apartment with her sister Stella and brother-in-law Stanley.

A Streetcar Named Desire is one of the finest plays in the American canon. The production opened in New York in 1947 and changed American theater forever.

Can any stage production of A Streetcar Named Desire compete with the cinematic classic starring Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh? Unlikely. But under Jerry Mouawad's direction, Imago Theatre's upcoming revival promises to be an unabashedly invigorating take on this modern masterpiece.

“I don't tell the truth, I tell what ought to be the truth. And if that's sinful, then let me be damned for it!”

Written in 1947, Tennessee Williams's visceral tragedy of class conflict and sexual depravity has lost none of its intensity, relevance or power over the years, which may explain why its characters – Blanche, Stella, Stanley – continue to fascinate, infuriate, and disturb us to this day.

Indeed Blanche, a Southern Belle well past her prime, has emerged as one of the most archetypal parts in American theatre history, exactly because she's so hard to define. Legendary actors Jessica Tandy, Uta Hagen, Tallulah Bankhead, and Jessica Lange have each played her on Broadway, yet none can be said to have given the definitive performance because the role itself defies singular interpretation. Drunk? Depressed? Dissolute? Demented? Is Blanche all of the above? None of the above? Each production must decide for itself. One thing's for sure: In Mouawad's version, tensions will run high as central conflicts play out amid a palette worthy of Van Gogh.

Meghan Daaboul (Blanche), Max Bernsohn (Stanley), and Jaiden Wirth (Stella) will all be making their Imago debuts in this adventurous Streetcar which also features Jeff Giberson (Mitch), previously seen in Imago's electric revivals of The Seafarer and Shining City.

Content Warning: Rated R. A Streetcar Named Desire portrays sensitive topics including substance abuse and domestic violence and includes references to sexual assault and suicide. While firearms do not appear on stage, there is a single gunshot sound effect included in the show. It includes some mature language.