Tanghalang Pilpino stages A Streetcar Named Desire

Tennesse Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning play, A Streetcar Named Desire, translated by Orlando Nadres into Filipino as Flores Para Los Muertos, will be brought to life on stage as Tanghalang Pilipino's third offering in its 23^rd Theater Season that celebrates Women of Substance. The play, which will be performed in English and in Filipino, opens on October 2, 2009 at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino and runs for four weekends until October 25, 2009.

A Streetcar Named Desire / Flores Para Los Muertos paints the staunch character of Blanche Dubois, whose complicated psychological makeup as she confronts reality is a sure challenge to any substantial woman actor. Perhaps Williams' greatest masterpiece, the play's recurring theme is the constant and often dangerous conflict between reality and fantasy, actual and ideal. Blanche Dubois, the main character says, "I don't want realism; I want magic." Blanche's deception of others and herself is not from malicious intent, but rather from a heart and spirit broken by adversity and forced to retreat to a kinder, purer time that no longer exists.

Multi-awarded TV, film and stage director Floy Quintos directs the cast which includes Eula Valdes as Blanche Dubois in the Filipino version and Ana Abad Santos as Blanche in English. Playing Stanley Kowalski, the role made famous by Marlon Brando in its original staging and film adaptation will be played by Neil Ryan Sese in Filipino and Reuben Uy in English. Stella Kowalski will be performed by seasoned stage actor Mailes Kanapi in English, and theater newbie Meryll Soriano in Filipino. Also included in the cast of A Streetcar Named Desire / Flores Para Los Muertos are Paolo O' Hara, Jonathan Tadioan, Marjorie Lorico, Paolo Cabañero, Jerald Napoles, and Tara Cabaero.

A Streetcar Named Desire / Flores Para Los Muertos will be performed in English from October 2 to 11 and in Filipino from October 16 to 25; 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 Tanghalang Pilipino at 832-3661, Ticketworld at 891-9999 or the CCP Box Office at 832-3704.