REVIEW of Tennessee Williams by Bernard J. Taylor, directed by Carolyn Dellinger in Rep with Storme at The American Theater of Actors:
Playwright Bernard J. Taylor has given us a really well written solo play exploring the life of Tennessee Williams, not so much as a playwright, but as a damaged child and man. John Stillwaggon brings Williams to life through 90 minutes telling the story to the audience from “Williams” alcohol and drug addled perspective as an older man. Corolyn Dellinger does a wonderful job moving Stillwaggon on the stage.
The play explores Williams’ relationships with his abusive father, his loved mother and especially his sister Rose and actress Maria Britneva, who had a crush on William, but Taylor believes Williams never slept with. Taylor greatest insight, right or wrong, is that most Gay men feel more love for the women in their lives than their significant other. In Williams case this included long time domestic partner, Frank Merlo who died in 1963.
Taylor’s Tennessee Williams is written the way a biographical solo play should be. It uses dates as a general outline but is more concerned with speculating on his subject’s emotional state. The writing, performance and direction make this a play worth seeing.
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