Tennessee Williams'
    A Streetcar Named Desire

    April 23-June 29, 1997
    Steppenwolf Theatre Co., Chicago

    This intense new production of Tennessee Williams' classic play featured Steppenwolf Theatre Company co-founder Gary Sinise as Stanley Kowalski, New York stage actress Laila Robins as Blanche DuBois, and ensemble member Kathryn Erbe as Stella Kowalski. Directed by Terry Kinney.

    Gary Sinise and Laila Robins as Stanley Kowalski and Blanche DuBois.
    Kathryn Erbe, as Stella, with 
    Gary Sinise.
        Critics Praise Steppenwolf's Streetcar:
      "This Streetcar is welcome because its participants have something vital to say."
            -- David Patrick Stearns, USA Today, May 19, 1997
      "After an absence of nearly 10 years, Gary Sinise has come home from Hollywood... turning in a fascinating performance by going against type as Stanley Kowalski... Sinise projects the character's seething anger and animalistic tendencies."
            -- Lewis Lazare, Variety, May 18, 1997
      "[W]e get a faithful.... stirring retelling of the story, highlighted by a diaphanous portrait of Blanche by leading lady Laila Robins... some wonderful supporting performances, and a fine new variation on Jo Mielziner's magical original setting by designers Robert Brill and Kevin Rigdon."
      -- Richard Christiansen, Chicago Tribune, May 6, 1997
      "[Robins] receives support from Gary Sinise who, in classic Steppenwolf fashion, uses wild, unbridled energy to make Stanley an overwhelming presence.... When he cries out for Stella, Sinise makes Stanley's pain seem not just plausible, but deeply disturbing. Watching him is like watching an animal that has been injured in a trap."
       
          -- Tom Valeo, Daily Herald, May 9, 1997