A Streetcar Named Desire

By: Tennessee Williams

Narrated by: Theater Lincoln Center

Caedmon is proud to release this archival full-cast recording of Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire on cd for the first time!

Blanche DuBois arrives at her sister Stella's New Orleans apartment seeking refuge from a troubled past—but her ethereal spirit irks Stella's husband, the loutish Stanley Kowalski. Crudely, relentlessly, he unmasks the lies and delusions that sustain Blanche, until her frail hold on reality is shockingly severed.

This atmospheric recording of Tennessee Williams's powerful classic stars Rosemary Harris and James Farentino as Blanche and Stanley—roles they performed to acclaim in a smash revival at New York's Lincoln Center.

“Just the right amount of darkness and chaos”

As per Audible’s request, I, Daniel Valladares, will be composing a critical review on the playwright of “A Streetcar Named Desire”. I begin my writing with a quick note that I took before I even began reading. The title has the effect of being quite literal, yet cryptic at the same time. We acknowledge throughout the story that there is a literal streetcar by which a main character, in Blanche, comes to be in this particular site of New Orleans. However, it has a deeper meaning which we will touch on later on. Let’s lay down the basics by observing the people in the play, many of which can be seen as protagonists or antagonists. For example, Blanche, who seems to be the root of all the others’ problems, can also be pitied and rooted for by the audience. She exhibits a seductive nature, both on paper and on screen. There is also Stella, the sister of Blanche, who hosts her in her home. She can be culpable for the event which transpired against her sister through negligence, but she has also suffered greatly because of the strains her sisters presence has brought about. Stanley, Stella’s husband, is almost seen solely as a villain, but one can attest to him being a man with flaws who is only trying to protect his livelihood. Of the influential and central characters of the plot, the last is Mitch, a friend of Stanley’s that turns into Blanche’s safety blanket of sorts. Through many turmoils they slowly soil all bonds and turn to saving one’s self, even if it means putting the other down. A few of of the most riveting of events to occur were, initially, the unannounced arrival of Blanche and the baggage full of secrets she carried. Stanley’s continued pursuit of unraveling all of the lies Blanche has messily strung together began the rapid downfall of his relationship with his wife. Blanche seduced Mitch after noticing he wouldn’t be difficult to do so with; it seemed to be a plan which would result in Blanche having a financial cushion and reason to stay. The true issue in each scene always came to settle back on Blanche through many a pointed finger, usually by Stanley who had perhaps believed her to be a parasite. The only reason I believe the matter was not resolved earlier and in much more orderly fashion falls on the actions of Stanley. He was blatant in his disapproval of Blanche before everyone and tried to turn ever on against her. He also hit Stella, which prompted Blanche to plead that she leave him, therefore planting the idea in her mind. Of the greatest things held against Stanley is his rape of Blanche and although it was not proven, it is an accusation which is not taken lightly by most characters. In the end, both Blanche and Stanley are equally resented by a majority of the others. The conclusion consists of Blanche being sent to a mental ward as the many lies about her past and the excessive desire she expressed to maintain it proved she was unstable. The overall image which the script painted for me, is one where it portrays all humans as broken in character and proves that most will fall to protecting themselves before they go out of their way to protect others. - Daniel Valladares

An emotional journey!

Very well played!! I enjoyed the emotional intricacies of each character which were brought to life by the narrators.
My ninth grader is reading this in English literature. The subject matter seems more appropriate for upper high schoolers.

Greg House

Riveting! Truly a performance for the ages . Hope and dreams laid bare in a naked light .

Performance

The ONLY thing - dependant on your taste - is the narration can get a little loud at escalated points in the play to express the mood/stage directions.

Sound mix is loud

Very good story, acting is great but the sound is very bad mixed, beside that very good audiobook