Often referred to as Tennessee Williams’ most stark and poetic work, Suddenly Last Summer, opens Wednesday, March 13 in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Metcalf Theater. The great American playwright’s work play runs through Sunday, March 24, and is directed by Kathryn Bentley, associate professor in SIUE’s Theater and Dance.
When asked why she tackled such a complex play, Bentley replied, “I read this play while in grad school, and I found it intriguing. The characters are complex and layered as with all of Tennessee Williams’ characters. The language is rich and poetic. This play offers a tremendous challenge to my students.
“The characters are telling a story – several stories – about a character never seen on stage. This play deals with appearances and the need to project a certain image to the world no matter what,” Bentley added. “The truth is secondary to this image. Reality becomes blurred based on the need to hold on to an image.”
Tennessee Williams was born Thomas Lanier “Tennessee” Williams III on March 26, 1911. He was an American writer who is known primarily as an American playwright, but also wrote short stories, novels, poetry, essays, screenplays and a volume of memoirs. His professional career lasted from the mid-1930s until his death. Many of his plays are regarded as classics of the American stage.
Characters in his plays are often seen as representations of his family members. Characters such as Tom Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie and Sebastian in Suddenly Last Summer were thought to represent Williams himself. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for A Streetcar Named Desire in 1948 and for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1955. These two plays were later filmed, with great success, by noted directors, Elia Kazan (Streetcar), with whom Williams developed a very close artistic relationship, and Richard Brooks (Cat). Both plays included references to areas of Williams’ life such as homosexuality, mental instability and alcoholism. Williams passed away on February 25, 1983.
Other work for the production includes: guest artist Justin Barisonek, scenic design; Kaitlyn Wiese, costume design; Valerie Goldston, lighting design; Jesse Graf, sound design; Katherine Slovinski, props design; and Megan O’Neill, stage management.
Suddenly Last Summer runs at 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat., March 13-16; 2 p.m. Sun., March 17. Additional performances are slated for 7:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat., March 22 and 23, and at 2 p.m. Sun., March 24 at 7:30 p.m. All performances will be in the Metcalf Theater. For directions to campus, visit www.siue.edu/maps/
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors, non-SIUE students, and children 17 and younger. SIUE students, with a valid I.D., get in free. Discounted tickets are available for groups of ten or more. All seats are general admission. This play is recommended for ages 14 and up. For tickets or more information, call the Fine Arts box office at (618) 650-2774 or toll free at (888) 328-5168, extension 2774.
SIUE’s Department of Theater and Dance presents four plays and one dance concert during its October through April season. All productions are open to the community at large. The Department of Theater and Dance is part of the College of Arts and Sciences. More information is available at www.siue.edu/artsandsciences/theater or to send an email to theater- tickets@siue.edu.
Photo Information: Pictured are Andrew Pearson (left) and Ashley Bland.