A Streetcar Named Desire

Cate Blanchett stars as Blanche DuBois in the U.S. premiere of Sydney Theatre Company's production of Tennessee Williams's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by Liv Ullmann.

• Oct 29 - Nov 21, 2009
• Eisenhower Theater
• 3 hours, 5 minutes
• $25.00 - $110.00

About the Program | Related Events | Sponsors

About the Program

Artists:

• Tennessee Williams , playwright
• Cate Blanchett , actor
• Liv Ullmann , director

U.S. PREMIERE
Sydney Theatre Company
A Streetcar Named Desire
starring Cate Blanchett

"IN EVERY RESPECT, A SUPERLATIVE STREETCAR.
Cate Blanchett is an actress of extraordinary candour and fluency. From that first appearance to her final, shattering exit, Blanchett's performance is a brilliant demonstration of range and control."
--The Sydney Morning Herald
 
"RIVETINGLY INVOLVING!
Cate Blanchett's Blanche Dubois is magnificent. Liv Ullmann's production…reminds us how shocking this great play was and still is. Joel Edgerton's Stanley is muscular, uncomplicated and just sexy enough…but savage too. Robin McLeavy's Stella is…full of tenderness and strength."
--The Australian
 
"Cate Blanchett is gloriously different…a prize worth fighting, scheming, dying for."
--Time Magazine

Programmed by Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton in their first year as Artistic Directors of Sydney Theatre Company, A Streetcar Named Desire brings the sizzling 1947 Tennessee Williams drama to life under the direction of acclaimed actress Liv Ullmann. "Tennessee Williams's play tears away the veils and masks to get to the heart of these characters. Which is exactly what you might say is a hallmark of Liv Ullmann's work. We think this could make for a ripper combination," said Upton and Blanchett.

The Academy Award–winning Blanchett stars as the pretentious and pestering Blanche Dubois, one of the most challenging and nuanced characters in all of 20th-century stage drama and a role coveted by actresses everywhere. With a story that pits the false gentility of the southern belle Blanche against the earthiness of her working class sister Stella and her short-tempered brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski, A Streetcar Named Desire is a collision of character that keeps audiences holding on tight from beginning to end.
Performance Timing:  Act I - 75 min.; Intermission - 20 min.; Act II - 90 min. 

Notice: There are a limited number of full-price obstructed view orchestra tickets available for this engagement. They are available for purchase by phone or in-person, but not online. Please call (202) 467-4600 to check availability.

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Theater at the Kennedy Center is presented with the generous support of Stephen and Christine Schwarzman.

A Streetcar Named Desire is presented in association with the Embassy of Australia.

Additional support is provided by The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation, Altria Group, Inc., The Laura Pels Foundation, and Chevron.

International Programming at the Kennedy Center is made possible through the generosity of the Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts.

Qantas is the Official Airline of the US Tour of A Streetcar Named Desire.

Sydney Theatre Company is supported by Principal Sponsor Audi and Patron Mr. Giorgio Armani.



All events and artists subject to change without prior notice.

Group of 20 or more? Group Sales offers special terms and discounts for most performances.

Additional Resources

About the Kennedy Center Theater Series

Related Events

In Conversation: Cate Blanchett  Nov 3, 2009 at 12:00 PM 

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