FINALS+DIRECTORS+PART

GOOGLE DOCS LINK:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m4lXL5n_DYelDPSVLDKgRDKWmZ2IZZrNEaJOnCA2_5E/edit?usp=sharing

Natascha Perez THEA 2000 Richmond 4/25/2017  About Tennessee Williams Tennessee Williams was an American Pulitzer winning playwright who is considered to be one of the most influential dramatic playwrights of the 20 th century in America. Williams was born on March 26, 1911 in Columbus, Mississippi. His original birth name was Thomas Lanier Williams III. Due to his father’s abusive and alcoholic nature which lead to an unhappy marriage with William’s mother, Williams was raised in fairly dysfunctional family which lead to the influences of his major works. As a child he suffered from a disease which nearly costed him his life called diphtheria. As a result of his illness, he had trouble living up to his father’s expectations and the abusive environment that ensued would cause great inspiration yet strain on his future work as an artist. His father was a demanding and abusive salesmen who cared more about his job than being a father to his children. As a result, William’s had a very complicated relationship with his father. His family moved around a lot which lead him to attend different high schools such as Soldan High School which was referenced in his work The Glass Menagerie. Williams was a Journalism major at the University of Missouri. He was infatuated with a girl there, and upon hearing of his son’s relationship his father, along with other reasons, made him withdraw from college and urged him to work as a salesclerk at a shoe company. After years of un-satisfaction with this occupation, Williams became heavily depressed and suffered an immense nervous breakdown. He recovered and went back to school at the University of Iowa where he graduated in 1938. After college at the age of 28, Williams moved to New Orleans where his artistic endeavors would flourish. His writing’s grew in popularity after a few months in New Orleans and he landed an agent named Audrey Woods who would become his companion and advisor. One of his early works was in 1940’s called Battle of Angles initially failed when it debuted in Boston. However, Williams persisted and brought it back naming it instead, Orpheus Descending. This play was then later made into the movie, The Fugitive Kind, starring Marlon Brando and Anna Magnani. Two of Williams’ most well-known works includes The Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire. The Glass Menagerie sky launched him into fame in 1945 when it premiered on Broadway. Critics loved the play and it made his name well known. His play called A Streetcar Named Desire however won him a Drama Critics' Award and his first Pulitzer Prize. This was two years after The Glass Menagerie. William’s works always seem to be somewhat of a reflection of his actual family. For example, Laura Wingfield in [|The Glass Menagerie] was understood to be modeled on his actual sister Rose. Later on in life during the 60’s William’s career plummeted as his works and reviews were met with constant negativity. With his dwindling career, Williams turned to drugs and alcohol as coping mechanisms. He had to be hospitalized in 1969 due to this. After trying to recover for a few years he produced a few memoirs detailing his life and afflictions out he never fully recovered. He succumbed again to his demons during the months before his death. On a regular New York City night in February of 1983, died at the age of 71. Apparently he had choked to death from inhaling the plastic cap of bottle of the type that might contain a nasal spray or eye solution.

Casting
 * Serafina : Gina Rodriguez
 * I chose Gina because in the play Williams describes Serafina as a “voluptuous figure,black hair”, who looks like “a plump little Italian opera singer in the role of Madame Butterfly” pg. 13. Gina Rodriguez is perfect I think because she fits all of the physical elements for this character as well as her ability as an actress to play over dramatic and dynamic characters. (Watch Jane the Virgin for example)
 * Alvaro Mangiacavallo: Javier Bardem
 * I chose Bardem because in the book Williams describes as “about twenty five years old, dark and very good looking. One of those Mediterranean types that resemble glossy young bulls. He is short in stature, has a massively sculptural torso and a bluish-black curls. His face and appearance are clownish and he has a charming awkwardness.” pg. 52 I saw Bardem as soon as Alvaro comes up within this play. Him and Rodriguez would make a very good pairing on screen. At least physically.
 * Rosa Delle Rose: Hailee Steinfeld
 * I chose Steinfeld because in the book Williams describes “Young girl of twelve, pretty and vivacious, and has about her a particular intensity in every gesture”. Steinfeld has an innocence to her looks and I think she could
 * Seaman Jack Hunter (the sailor): Diego Gonzalez-Boneta
 *  I chose Boneta because  has a young and handsome face. He’d also look pretty good with an earring. He is physically conditioned to play a sailor. I also have seen his past work in Scream Queens and Rock of Ages and his acting skills correlate well with what Jack Hunter would have to be like.
 * Estelle Hohengarten: Young Michelle Pfeiffer (30’s)
 * “Thin, blonde woman in a dress of Egyptian design, and her blonde hair has an unnatural gloss in the clear” pg 17. I immediately thought of Pfeiffer from Scarface due to her beauty and facial cues.
 * Father De Leo: Tom Cruise
 * For some reason Cruise looks like he really could play a priest. Plus I think he’d look great in the attire for one. He has a very calming and appealing face that isn't too handsome nor in any way shape or form annoying to look at for long periods of time. Also think he is a versatile enough actor to really take on a role like this especially after I saw him in his film “Few Good Men”.


 * Bessie
 * I chose Salma Hayek because in the play Williams describes Flora as a “rather stubby/ middle years and of juvenile temperament” pg. 30. I think that she would have great chemistry with Famke Janssen who plays Flora.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Assunta: Angela Lansbury
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">I chose Lansbury because in the play Williams describes Assunta simply as an “Old woman” pg. 14. I'm a huge fan of Lansbury and I think she in particular can look Sicilian if she were to play this role. Her innate genetic makeup is unique and the fact that she is an award winning actress makes her the ideal role for Assunta for me.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> Flora: <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Famke Janssen
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">I chose Janssen because in the play Williams describes Flora as a “tall and angular/middle years and of juvenile temperament” pg. 30. I also think that she and Salma as Bessie would really make a great pairing when it comes to their roles in the play as they are usually side by side.

My last part with the blocking is all in the powerpoint/slides!!!!!!