Swine Palace Productions is bringing the life and writings of Tennessee Williams to the stage in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and honor.
“We received an exclusive agreement from the Tennessee Williams estate to produce a play of his life and combined works,” said Vastine Stabler, director of Marketing and Public Relations for LSU Theater. “The agreement is generally unprecedented and a huge honor for us.”
Stabler said the events of Hurricane Katrina and Williams’ love of New Orleans allowed the University the opportunity to use Williams’ plays to produce a historical performance.
The play is titled “Tennessee Williams in QUARTER Time” and was conceived of and directed by John Dennis. Stabler said the performers vary in age and in experience.
“We have brought back now-successful actors, who were once a part of LSU Theater who will be performing with current theater students and Masters of Fine Art candidates,” Stabler said.
Some of the professional actors include Joe Chrest, who has recently acted on the television shows “Medium” and “Deadwood,” Andrea Frankle and Cristine McMurdo-Wallis.
Stabler said the legacy of Tennessee Williams hits much closer to home than many people may think.
“Williams is a playwright most associated with the Gulf Coast and Louisiana, especially New Orleans,” he said. “This play will introduce audiences to his writings that were inspired by a place he called home and that many here call home.”
Stabler said scenes will be introduced by the actor playing Williams who will read letters he wrote during different periods of his life. He said this makes the play more historical, but the play is not without entertainment and emotion.
“The scenes will be funny, touching and moving within themselves,” Stabler said. “The plays have strong artistic merit on [their] own, and Williams was able to evoke mood more than any playwright in American theater. In the art world today, there’s a lack of lyrical quality, and in Williams’ plays you hear beautiful language that still has plot quality and emotion.”
Stabler said “Tennessee Williams in QUARTER Time” will connect the audience to Williams and spark an interest in a man who changed American theater.
“This play will help audiences to understand and appreciate his style,” Stabler said. “The show really is illuminating.”
“Tennessee Williams in QUARTER Time” will be playing at Reilly Theatre from Feb. 3 to 19. A pay-what-you-can performance is scheduled for Feb. 1, and the play will preview on Feb. 2.
 
Contact Kelly Caulk at [email protected]