Production History

1. Original Production
The Ethel Barrymore Theatre

243W. 47th Street New York, New York
Opened December 3 1947

Closed December 17 1949

Total of 855 performances

Produced by Irene M. Selznick

Directed by Elia Kazan

Scenic Designer-Jo Mielziner

Assistant Scenic Designer-John Harvey

Costume Designer-Lucinda Ballad

Assistant Costume Designer-Ellen Freeman

Lighting Designer-Joe Mielziner

Assitant Lighting Designer-Arthur H. Ross

Actors in lead roles
Marlon Brando-Stanley Kowalski
Jessica Tandy-Blanche Du Bois
Kim Hunter-Stella Kowalski
Karl Malden-Harold Mitchell"Mitch"

Obviously this is a standout performance due to the fact that it is the original production in New York. Marlon Brando was a virtual unknown at the time, his performances dripping with raw, brutish sexuality made him a house hold name. For this production Jessica Tandy was awarded the Tony in 1948 for Best Actress. The same year the genious playwrite won the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

2. The Aldwych Theatre

Aldwych, London

Opened: October 11, 1949

Directed By: Laurence Olivier

Actors in Leading Roles

Blanche DuBois- Vivien Leigh

Stanley Kowalski-Bonar Calleano

Stella Kowalski-Renee Asherson
This being the original London production of Streetcar it set the stage for a movie that would become a legend. Vivien Leigh under the direction of her husband gave a heart-wrenching performance as Blanche and went on to win the Oscar in 1952 for Best Actress!

3. The Lyttelton Theatre

South Bank London, England

Director: Trevor Nunn
Designer: Bunnie Christie
Lighting Designer: Paul Pyant
Music Supervisor & Arranger: Neil McArthur
Fight Director: Malcolm Ranson
Sound Designer: Paul Groothuis

Stanley Kowalski : Iain Glen

Stella Kowalski : Essie Davis

Blanche DuBois : Glenn Close

4. The Roundabout Theater at Studio 54

254 West 54th Street

New York, New York

Opened: April 26, 2005
Closing: July 3, 2005

Directed by Edward Hall

Set Design by Robert Brill

Costume Design by William Ivey Long

Lighting Design by Donald Holder

Blanche DuBois- Natasha Richardson

Stanley Kowalski- John C. Rilley

Stella Kowalski- Amy Ryan
Harold "Mitch" Mitchell-Chris Bauer

5. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

130 Edgar Rd

St Louis, MO

Opening: August 2, 1967

Closed: August 31, 1967

Directed by Michael Flanagan

Scenic Designer: John Wright Stevens

Costume Designer: Vita

Lighting Designer: Peter E. Sargent

Actors in lead roles

Blanche DuBois- Marian Mercer

Stanley Kowalski- Anthony Ponzini

Stella Kowalski- Elizabeth Farley

Harold "Mitch" Mitchell- Robert Murch

Fun Facts!!!

Original Broadway Production

***When the original production of A Streetcar Named Desire was in the midst of success, Tennessee Williams wrote to Jessica Tandy ("Blanche"), about a photo that was intended to be given as a Christmas gift to the producer, Irene Selznick. Williams was asked to see if Jessica Tandy (who later appeared in Driving Miss Daisy) would pose for a photographic replica of a Thomas Hart Benton painting. The painting depicts the poker scene from A Streetcar Named Desire with Blanche in the foreground in a racy blue dress. Through a series of letter exchanges, Jessica Tandy reminds Tennessee Williams that his Blanche was not intended to appear as a victim.

***The cast recieved a half-hour standing ovation on openening night!




***St. Louis Theatre Repertory
***For the opening night party of A Streetcar Named Desire, a streetcar was transported from the Museum of Transportation to the Edgar Road parking lot.