A Stella Show

Stella, the sad-eyed unfortunate from A Streetcar Named Desire, is back. But this time, she's in control of her own life — sort of. Brian Byrnes's world-debut play Stella...Stella for Startakes place in the titular heroine's mind after a failed suicide attempt has led to her institutionalization. Now twenty years older than her Streetcar self, Stella flashes back to the days when she became abusive husband Stanley's pawn and had her sister Blanche committed. Blanche returns, and so does Stanley — as a woman. Director Amy Hopper says that when companies put on Streetcar, "no one wants to play Stella." But the role has just become more desirable. "With Blanche and Stanley as facets of Stella," says Hopper, "Stella is finally having her say." Would Tennessee Williams approve? Judge for yourself.
Tuesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Starts: May 11. Continues through May 27