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review It was over an asada burrito and a Coke at the unswept taqueria across the street that I pondered the night ahead of me. One more production of "A Streetcar Named Desire". Perhaps, in fact, one as tough and lifeless as the burrito in my mouth. Would another visit to an American classic be worth the trip? Yes! As it turns out, this "Streetcar" is rather remarkable. Who knew that the Insurgo Theatre Movement, in evidently its rookie production, would bring it to such a satisfying emotional boil? Who was the person who astutely realized that "A Streetcar Named Desire" would be gripping in a tiny space such as this -- a small, muggy space about the size of an old French Quarter apartment? Who could have guessed that seeing "Streetcar" so close would impart a new dimension to the experience of the story, and a remarkable urgency to Williams' words? And who cast the show so well? One Jessica Topliff -- never heard of her, never seen her -- gives us a remarkable take on Blanche DuBois, a traditional take that is refreshingly free of exaggeration except for a few manic moments in Act Three. Topliff plays a woman who doesn't know herself with a great understanding of the character's confusion. William Tanner's lean, muscular version of Stanley Kowalski travels the necessary road apart from Brando with skill, and Jesse Runde and Mark Palkoner (of the hosting Hunger Artists) are sweetly able as Stella and Mitch. Even the tiniest roles of the Doctor and the Nurse are cast with actors who look perfect for the part and glimpse the gravity of their moment (Ron Svarc, Kindal Graham). Who would have guessed that an unknown director -- one John Beane, whoever he is -- could have galvanized these actors to greet the play with the kind of investment usually given to new works? Who would have thought that these twentysomethings could understand the atmosphere of the play (1947, post-war America settling down, no housing, no air conditioning, no wealth yet, no one knows what to do) and make us feel it so tangibly? Who knew that the Insurgo Theatre Movement would be a name to deliciously remember, even to retain for future reference? Who knew? "A
Streetcar Named Desire", Fri-Sun thru April 24 at the Hunger Artists
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