[NEohioPAL]A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE stops at Porthouse Theatre

[emadden at kent.edu]

=93Porthouse Theatre=2C on the grounds of Blossom Music Center=2C has sta=
ged a stunning production of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE=94 =96 David Ritche=
y=3A West Side Leader

Set in the steamy hotbed of 1940=92s New Orleans=2C the genteel and prete=
ntious Blanche DuBois (played by Monica Bell=2Cwho captivated audiences l=
ast year as Lady Bracknell in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST) moves in w=
ith her sister Stella and Stella=92s brutish husband=2C Stanley Kowalski=2E=
  Soon after=2C Stanley begins to question the reasons behind Blanche=92s=
 arrival=2C especially the lost fortune of the DuBois family=2E  One of S=
tanley=92s card playing buddies Mitch takes a liking to Blanche and they =
commence a slow courtship=2E  However=2C Stanley exposes Blanche=92s jade=
d past=2C which leads to her decent into madness=2E  Tennessee Williams c=
reates an evocative environment of smoldering sexuality=2C tender dreams =
of romance and stark violence with power and poetry=2E  =93=85this produc=
tion of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE is the most physical and most lustful pr=
oduction of the shows I=92ve seen=2E=94 (David Ritchey=3A West Side Leade=
r) A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE runs until July 17=2E  Performances are Tuesd=
ay through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM=2E  This play is not recom=
mended for children under 16=2E

=93The Porthouse production=2C directed by John Woodson=2C hits a number =
of high notes=85=94 =96 Fran Heller=3A Cleveland Jewish News

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE is directed by John Woodson=2C artistic director=
 of The Warehouse Theatre in Greenville=2C South Carolina=2E  Woodson ear=
ned local accolades for his direction last season of Oscar Wilde=92s THE =
IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST=2E

=93Director John Woodson nicely blends the elements of raw=2C naturalisti=
c drama with the lyrical flights of bygone manners that Blanche embodies=85=
=94 =96 Christine Howey=3A Cleveland Scene

Single tickets range from =2417 - =2423=2E  Parking is free=2E  Discounts=
 are available for groups of 10 or more=2E  The box office is open from 1=
1 AM =96 5 PM=2C Monday =96 Saturday on the main Kent State University ca=
mpus in the Music =26 Speech Center=2E  The box office is open an hour an=
d half before performances on the grounds of Porthouse Theatre=2E  For mo=
re information call the Porthouse Theatre box office at 330-672-3884 or v=
isit www=2Eporthousetheatre=2Ecom=2E

Porthouse Theatre=2C founded in 1971=2C is the premier summer theatre in =
Northeast Ohio=2E  Set on the grounds of Blossom Music Center=2C Porthous=
e offers audiences the finest in professional summer theatre=2E  The comf=
ortable 500-seat=2C outdoor=2C covered pavilion theater is located next t=
o the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and on the grounds of Blossom Music C=
enter=2E  Audience members are encouraged to arrive early to picnic on th=
e grounds=2C or guests can reserve space in the Thornbury picnic pavilion=
 for a minimal charge=2E  Porthouse Theatre grounds open and hour and hal=
f before performances=2E  =


Porthouse Theatre is a cultural service of Kent State University and is a=
 member of the Akron Area Arts Alliance=2E  Porthouse Theatre=92s program=
s and activities are made possible in part by funding from the Ohio Arts =
Council=2E


Elisabeth Madden
Managing Director
Porthouse Theatre
School of Theatre =26 Dance
emadden=40kent=2Eedu
330-672-0103