A Classic

A friend proposes that we go to see the new production of "Streetcar Named Desire" that is soon to open or just did in New York City right now.  I hesitate.  There is imprinted in my brain the images of Vivien Leigh as Blanche DuBois so strong and indelible that I hesitate to break the spell.  Tried it once in london with Glenn Close in a blonde wig, shuddered through the first act and left.  Vivien Leigh brings all the damaged goods of Scarlett O'Hara to the part, an asset not available to any other actress.  Surely her temperament, not unique among high strung ladies of the stage, is revealed in her every frail and nervous gesture.  I was was lucky to see Ethel Merman in "Gypsy" and when she sang "Rose's Turn"  And Tyne Daily and Angel Lansbury and Patti Lupone.  There is something in the mystique of Vivien Leigh coming from those two roles that makes for a mystique that transcends the filmed moment, so much history, social, political, and personal, in that character.  I think I will not want to see another version.  Which is not to say that I would not like to see what is inherent in all of Tennessee William's great women figures, and that is the wounded gay guy underneath.  I can see Blanche now renamed Beau kicked out of his teaching job in that small southern town and then out of town for picking up tricks night after night at the bus stop, traveling down to his sister's in desperation, befriending her husband's somewhat soft and iffy poker player friend "a bachelor" and that going nowhere, his sister's husband who has clearly once upon a time in his youth turned tricks as rough trade himself--the antagonism and desire between the two is palpable--until there is a revenge rape when Beau tries to go too far with Stanley at the end.  Great play, and it would instantly be a classic, too.