A Streetcar Named Desire

By: Tennessee Williams

Narrated by: Carla Gugino, Audra McDonald

Length: 2 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

Following his 2019 production of A Raisin in the Sun, celebrated as "an absorbing, watershed revival," by The New York Times, Robert O’Hara returns to Williamstown Theatre Festival to direct this Tennessee Williams masterpiece. With Emmy, Grammy, and six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald as Blanche DuBois alongside Carla Gugino as Stella, O’Hara takes a fresh and visceral look at the emotionally charged relationship between these two iconic sisters. Haunted by her past, Blanche seeks refuge with Stella and Stanley (Ariel Shafir) in New Orleans, where she wrestles with the nature of her sister’s husband, her sister’s denial, and her own unraveling mind.

©1947 Tennessee Williams (P)2020 2020 AO Media LLC

Classic With Fresh Insight

I found myself drawn in immediately. The raw emotion of the actors and the theater of sound produced a visceral experience of life with abuse, addiction and mental illness. Ohara’s focus on the 2 women, their relationship to men and each other as sisters, gave nuance to a familiar piece of writing. Stanley is rough, sly, vengeful and abusing yet cries like a terrified little boy when drunk then does a turn into wildly sexual, twisting the listener’s emotions along with him at every step. The whole cast was well matched and made this radio play into a “theater-going experience”. Robert Ohara’s interview at the end is well worth listening to. His take on Williams and this play in particular helps shed light on the nuances of this production.

Streetcar Continues to Electrify--Don't Miss

Tennessee Williams' legendary A Streetcar Named Desire continues its path of theatre immortality, thanks to a brilliant new Audible production by the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Originally scheduled for full live production, the pandemic once again has called on actors and directors to use their creativity and inventiveness, and Williamstown certainly has. Directed by Robert O'Hara, the production features the wondrous Audra McDonald as Blanche; the six-time Tony winner once again reveals her astounding versatility, with a Blanche that thrills, amuses, terrifies, and finally breaks your heart. Actor Ariel Shafir is a revelation as Stanley, showing us a grown-up New Orleans street punk who sounds straight from the crooked sidewalks of the Crescent City. He's unpredictable and electrifying and does the near-impossible: He makes you forget the legendary Brando, certainly for awhile. Carla Gugino is superb as Stella, caught between her love for her sister and her husband (we know who wins out). Sullivan Jones is a stalwart Mitch. Williams' simplest lines lift us to the level of poetry: "I can't stand a naked light bulb anymore than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action." Blanche and Stanley's harrowing final scene together is chilling, aided by jungle-like sounds and music (Williams remarks that we should feel in a jungle by that time) by sound editor Lindsay Jones. Don't miss this Streetcar; and leave the kids in another room,

Well done

Great job with this rendition. I haven't watched/ listened to many of SCND plays but this one was very intense!

Ariel Shafir’s performance as Stanley.

I was very impressed with audibles overall production of “streetcar named desire”. I was particularly moved by Ariel Shafir’s portrayal of Stanley. I was able to visualize Stanley’s character through Ariel’s unique style of voice and tone. He engaged me from the very beginning. I heard Stanley’s intense emotional presence throughout the reading. Felt like I was watching the play on stage. Great job Ariel! The entire production was stellar. I highly recommend listening to it!

No Frills but Extraordinary Thrills

What nourishment for theater deprived souls. McDonald 's Blanche soared as she descended into madness. Shafir 's portrayal excavated humor and insight into the bestial primal Stanley. I thought he brought more depth and fascination to a character usually seen as one dimensional. I loved the Carla/ Blanche sibling interaction. Blanche knew just how to exploit and manipulate her sister playing on her guilt for " abandoning her" The entire ensemble was strong. O' Hara is a magician bringing this audible project to such palpable brilliance under such challenging circumstances. I can only imagine what this perfect cast would bring to a fully realized staged production. Bravo to all involved

An absolute delight!

The performances were very strong. They’re voices setting the stage for what is a powerful, gripping, sexy, moving and raw telling of this classic. A triumph in the face of adversity!

Powerful, raw, amazing!!!

Absolutely amazing performance!! I was pulled in and had so many emotions throughout the production... Loved every second!! Bravo!!

Outstanding voice acting

This is by far the best way to experience the play if you cannot see it on stage! It’s better than the book and, in my opinion, even the movie. The actors are on point to convey so much of their character and the emotions, it is truly outstanding! Audible has an incredible host of voice talent that brings many books to life but experiencing this new series of plays is NEXT LEVEL! I can’t wait to experience another play like Streetcar!

Amazing

Streetcar was already a favorite but this cast brought it to another level. Audra was unbelievable (as always). I can’t believe the creativity that needed to go into a production like this. I was blown away!

Exceptional!

A great story! The performers were outstanding! They put so much emotion that I felt every feeling!