PHOTO FLASH: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE Manila Opening Night

BROADWAYWORLD Philippines attended the opening night of Tanghalang Pilipino’s newest production of Tennessee Williams’ 1947 Pulitzer Prize-winning play A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE on October 9, 2009.  Veteran stage actress ANA ABAD SANTOS played the iconic role of Blanche Dubois opposite singer/actor REUBEN UY essayed the brooding, bestial Stanley Kowalski.

Although the thick Filipino accent by most of the supporting cast, who were supposed to play New Orleanians, marred the evening, the fragile and self-eluding Dubois of Abad Santos made for an unforgettable night at the theater. 

Award-winning film actresses Cate Blanchett and Rachel Weisz recently stepped into the role of Dubois in separate productions in Sydney and London also reaped raves from the theatre critics. 

It is truly amazing that even after over five decades, the delusional character of Dubois marks a certain career pinnacle for actresses who perform the part. 

Multi-awarded television and stage director Floy Quintos directed this particular production at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).  “…A woman who chooses madness over reason, magic over reality, is in, some strange way, powerful.” Thus making the character of Dubois extols strength as a woman.  “Perhaps, that is the only directorial conceit in the production:  A happy ending for Blanche, who after all these decades, truly deserves one,” said Quintos. 

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE in Manila will be performed in English from October 10 to 11, 2009 and in Filipino (with Eula Valdes as Dubois) from October 16 to 25, 2009; Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm. Special shows are available upon reservation. For ticket inquiries, call CCP Tanghalang Pilipino at (632) 832-3661, Ticketworld at (632) 891-9999 or the CCP Box Office at (632) 832-3704.

PHOTOS BY:  Ulysses Manuel