- About the Play
Setting: Set in Mississippi from the turn of the century through 1916.
Story: The story is considered to be a romantic drama full of repressed passion between the two main characters, Alma and John. Alma, a young woman who is fragile, lonely, and oversensitive struggles to form a connection with the man she has always loved. John, a handsome son of the town's respected doctor, confuses Alma by his actions. He is know for his flirtatious ways. - Main Character Breakdown
Alma: female, Caucasian, early 30's. the fragile, lonely, and oversensitive daughter of a minister. She often nervously rings her hands. The caregiver to her mother.
John: male, Caucasian, late 30's. A physician who resents following his fathers lead. A lively character who enjoys the nightlife.
Rev. Winemiller: male, Caucasian, 50's. A reverend, Alma's father.
Mrs. Winemiller: female, Caucasian, 50's. Very childish, has to be taken care of by Alma. Requires a lot of care and attention.
Dr. Buchanan: male, Caucasian, 50's. A respected physician. The father of John.
Rosa Gonzales: female, Hispanic, 20's. John's on again off again girlfriend.
Papa Gonzales: male, Hispanic, late 40's. Owner of the Moon Lake Casino. The father of Rosa Gonzales.
Nellie Ewell: female, Caucasian, early twenties. A music student of Alma's. Later becomes John's bride.
Mrs. Bassett: female, Caucasian, elderly. The town gossip. Attends all the rectory meetings.
Roger Doremus: male, Caucasian, mid 30's. plays the French horn. Attends all rectory meetings.
Mr. Kramer: male, Caucasian, 40's. Small in stature.
Rosemary: female, Caucasian, elderly. Very bossy. Member of the rectory meetings.
Vernon: male, Caucasian, 50's. Attends the town meetings. Recites and writes his own verse plays.
Dusty: male, Caucasian, 20's, waiter.
- A Look inside Tennessee Williams
Thomas Lanier Williams III (March 26, 1911 – February 25, 1983), better known as Tennessee Williams, was a major American playwright who received many of the top theatrical awards. He was born in Columbus, Mississippi, in the home of his paternal grandfather, the local Episcopal rector. The home is now the Mississippi Welcome Center and tourist office for the city. Williams' middle name, Lanier, indicates his family's Virginia connections to the artistic family from England, and earlier from Italy. In the early 1930s Williams attended the University of Missouri, where he joined Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. His fraternity brothers dubbed him "Tennessee" for his rich southern drawl. In the late 1930s, Williams transferred to Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri for a year, and finally earned a degree from the University of Iowa in 1938. He is one of America's greatest playwrights. Some of his works include: The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar named Desire, Cat on a Hot Ten Roof, The Night of the Iguana, and many more.
Production History:
Venue: Apollo Theatre
Location: London, England
Run dates: 2006
Producing agent or Producer: Stanhope Productions
Director: Adrian Noble
Designers: Peter McKintosh (set design), Deidre Clancy (costume design), Peter Mumford (lighting design)
Actors in lead roles: Rosamund Pike (Alma), Chris Carmack (John)
"But this is a play on a slow burn, and its final scenes are superb. It demonstrates many of the virtues that make Williams one of the supreme playwrights of the 20th century."
Financial Times
Venue: The Paper Mill Playhouse
Location: Millburn, New Jersey
Run Dates: Jan. 10-Feb. 11 2007
Production: Hartford Stage
Director: Michael Wilson
Designers: Tony Straiges (scenic design), Rui Rita (lighting design), David C. Woolard (costume design) and John Gromada (sound design and original music).
Actors in lead roles: Amanda Plummer (Alma), Kevin Anderson (john)
"Despite a rather large cast, our attention is drawn to the soul of the play, Alma's spiraling fall from grace. It remains as heartbreaking as that of any of Williams' heroines. This stunning revival can stand tall among anything currently on or off Broadway."
Curtain Up
Venue: Music Box Theatre
Location: New York, New York
Run dates: Oct. 6, 1948-Jan. 1, 1949
Produced and Directed by: Margo Jones
Designers: Scenic Design by Jo Mielziner; Lighting Design by Jo Mielziner; Costume Design by Rose Bogdanoff; Assistant to Mr. Mielziner: John HarveyActors in lead roles: Tod Andrews (john), Margaret Phillips (Alma)
"the production at the Music Box finds Tennessee Williams as fumbling and obvious as he is trenchant and evocative in 'A Streetcar Named Desire.'"
Google Answershttp://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/100619.htmlTaken from:"At the Theatre," by Brooks Atkinson. The New York Times (October 7,1948).
Venue: Criterion Center Stage Right
Location: New York, New York
Run dates: Sept. 5, 1996-Oct. 20, 1996
Directer: David Warren
Producer: The Roundabout Theatre Company
Designers: Derek McLane (set designer), Martin Pakledinaz (costume design), Brian MacDevitt (lighting design), John Gromada (sound)
Actors in lead roles: Harry Hamlin (John), Mary McDonnell (Alma)
Venue: Port City Playhouse
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Run dates: June 2006
Producer: Don Neal Williams
Director: Rosemary Hartman
Designers: William Buchanan
Actors in lead roles: Maggie Keele (Alma), Richard Isaacs (John)
"The cast worked really well together. They all fit into their roles really well. The casting was really well done."
Show Biz Radio
Classroom Exercise
Each student will assume the persona of a character from Summer & Smoke. They will be able to create their own diary. The entries can include the character's various traits: sex, rank, personality, and social standing.
This will give the students a better understanding of the character's and the actions in the play.
5 Questions that may arise:
- Why do you think the play is titled Summer & Smoke?
- What was your overall concept?
- Specifically, what character did you connect with and why?
- After reading the script of Summer & Smoke, was the production of the play similar to what you expected?
- Do you think this play would be interpreted differently if it were set in modern day?
