Despite my theater background, I’ve never seen A Streetcar Named Desire, not on stage nor on film.  So, until last night, all I knew of it was seeing clips of Marlon Brando yelling Stella.

A Streetcar Named Desire is the story of Blanche DuBois, sister to Stella.  Blanche shows up at Stella’s home, with plans to stay for a spell after burying their parents and losing their home.  Blanche is eloquent and a bit on the proud side, but with a sad uncertainty hidden underneath the slightly haughty exterior.  Through the course of the show, we learn what causes that sadness.

Kim Furness takes on the role of Blanche in Harrison Hilltop’s production.  And, she manages to convey that proud, but sad character quite skillfully.  And, she’s not over the top.  You never really hate Furness’s Blanche, but there’s something you don’t quite trust about her.  And yet, when it comes time to pity her, it’s more a sympathy than a pity, because Furness does include a touch of likeableness about Blanche.  I’m impressed, truly.  There are actors who are unable to convey various characters.  They bring pretty much the same approach to every character.  And, while they may be good, they’re not versatile and watching them grows tiresome if you see them in multiple shows.  The last time I saw Furness, she was appropriately over the top funny, making up her own form of sign language in Circa’s “Smoke on the Mountain”.  Here, she keeps the placement of her voice behind her teeth, adding to an heir about her and preventing her from being over the top.  Her Blanche could in no way be mistaken for her character in “Smoke on the Mountain”.  And that’s true talent.

Eddie Staver III takes on the role made famous by Marlon Brando, but does not channel the iconic actor.  Staver’s Stanley is not overly aggressive, but more realistic.  It’s that “average joe” approach that makes the abusive moments all the more shocking.  And real.

But it’s Stephanie Burrough who offers the most natural performances.  Her Stella is not at all affected, not at all calculated in emotion nor movement.  It’s, in a word, nice.  Harrison Hilltop’s space is so small, so intimate, that taking a “play to the balcony” approach would be laughable, annoying.  Burrough is so subtle, so gentle in her portrayal of Stella, that you almost want to invite her to sit down next to you and enjoy the show together, because this is not a character, this is Stella.

Jeff De Leon, in a word, is sincere.  Utterly sincere as Mitch, with an innocence about him which, eventually, is in contrast with Blanche.

The show, overall, is very well paced.  The actors, for the most part, know when to pause for impact or when to press on for a realness about the production.  At one point, the movement is enjoyable, with poker over here and girl talk over there.  There’s hardly an ounce of tension in the air.  And then suddenly, Stanley is slapping Stella.  The rush to the moment of abuse is so fast that you don’t have time to catch up with the change in emotion, making the slap all the more shocking.

The lighting, too, deserves a nod.  There is no stage lighting, really.  Light bulbs and lamps provide the lighting and, without the help of stage lights, the shadows.  There are places on stage that are masked in shadow, as are sometimes the faces of the actors.  It adds a mystery, a poverty sort of feel to the production.

The set is set up in such a natural way, as if we, the audience, could be in the home of Stella and Stanley.  With the exception of the placement of the porch, which is unnatural but appropriate, the layout of the inside of the house could be real.  The kitchen is masked by a semi-transparent curtain, which I loved.  The audience cannot see every part of the set and the actors sometimes stand behind that curtain.  Why should we be able to see every nook and cranny?  Is it that way in real life?  It’s perfect!  And, with the audience on the same level as the stage, there is not only an intimacy, but an added depth.  When an actor steps forward, there is a beauty, almost cinematographic asthetic to the scene, with a depth to it which is often gorgeous.

A Streetcar Named Desire runs just one weekend at Harrison Hilltop Theatre and seating is limited, so be sure to get in your request for tickets soon.  Showtimes are August 28 through August 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 31 at 2:30 p.m.  Tickets are $15.  The theater is located at 1601 Harrison Street in Davenport.