REVIEW: New play envisions meeting between Tennessee Williams, Marlon Brando
Photo: From left, Sebastian Treviño, Robin Lord Taylor and Alison Cimmet star in Kowalski at The Duke on 42nd Street. Photo courtesy of Russ Rowland / Provided by JT PR with permission.
NEW YORK — Kowalski, the new play by Gregg Ostrin, takes place in the beachside house of Tennessee Williams in Provincetown, Massachusetts. The famous playwright, known for The Glass Menagerie, is holed up in the abode with a partner, Pancho Rodriguez (Sebastian Treviño), who wants to go out on the town and a friend, Margo Jones (Alison Cimmet), who is reading Williams’ latest stage creation: a play called A Streetcar Named Desire. She loves the play but isn’t sure who is right to play the pivotal role of Stanley Kowalski, a hyper-masculine hothead who is stuck between his wife, Stella, and the main character of the drama, Blanche DuBois.
Williams, as played by Robin Lord Taylor, is delighted to hear of his friend’s approval of the new play, even if he had to let her down by saying that Elia Kazan is set to direct the world premiere, and not her. After his friends leave the house, the playwright is left alone with his ruminating thoughts, and that’s when Marlon Brando (Brandon Flynn) walks through the front door. He’s hitchhiked up to Provincetown to audition in person for Williams, and almost instantly it’s obvious that he’s a perfect Kowalski.
Over the next hour, the two push and pull through a dialogue as they debate the play, life and everything in between. Their conversation is easygoing and fascinating, touching upon many different topics. It’s a credit to Flynn and Taylor that the back-and-forth feels so effortless and interesting. The stories about acting, about each other’s families, about how they received their names open up doors to better understand the two real-life icons. Williams, a gay man who in this play is in mid-30s, seems intimidated by Brando, in his early 20s and waiting for that big break. There’s an attraction and energy between the two, but it’s almost fictional, as if Williams is meeting Kowalski, the part Brando is destined to play, in real life, in the flesh.
The quick play, which only runs 80 intermission less minutes and continues until Sunday, Feb. 23, at The Duke on 42nd Street, takes a turn with the addition of Brando’s partner, Jo, played by Ellie Ricker. She, too, is an actor and gets along much better with Williams. They become fast friends, much to the chagrin of Brando, who sits on the sidelines and feels his friend is being manipulated.
Not everything works perfectly in Kowalski, which is directed by Colin Hanlon. There is a prologue and epilogue that feels unnecessary, with Williams offering mini addresses to the audience that don’t help with setting the scene or summarizing the play. Also, the script can meander a bit; it would have been better for the conversation to build toward a better, more fitting crescendo. Spoiler alert: The audience never gets to see Brando’s promised audition, which is a shame.
The acting is excellent, especially from Taylor as Williams. He has the toughest part because there’s hardly a minute when he’s not on stage. He brings a southern accent to the playwright, but he never overdoes the characterization. The same for Flynn. Instead, they both try to embody their characters with subtle references to their respective biographies and images. They focus on the dialogue and getting-to-know-one-another dynamic of the play, which feels like a two-hander for the middle chunk of the drama.
Kowalski is perfect entertainment for those who love the world of theater. Having the characters of Williams and Brando spar over one of the most celebrated plays in the American canon makes for a thrilling 80 minutes. One feels invited to the writer’s home in Provincetown for a chance to hear a yarn and have a drink (or three).
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Kowalski, written by Gregg Ostrin and directed by Colin Hanlon, stars Robin Lord Taylor and Brandon Flynn. Running time: 80 minutes with no intermission. Playing through Sunday, Feb. 23, at The Duke on 42nd Street. Click here for more information and tickets.
