Directed by Sal Romeo, the limited engagement will continue through May 20 and features Jack Heller (One by One, Luv) as Tennessee Williams, Daytime Emmy Award winner Tamara Braun ("Days of Our Lives") as Woman and Robert Standley (Center Theatre Group's Post Office) as Youngman/Frankie Merlo/Dakin Williams.
The cast also includes Louise Davis as Edwina Williams/Rose Williams/Nurse (April 13-15, May 11-13, May 18-20), Lisa Thayer as Edwina Williams/Rose Williams/Nurse (April 20-22, April 27-29, May 4-6) and Cindy Marinangel as Woman (April 27-29).
"The play began with an image in my head," said playwright Besecker in a statement. "Tennessee Williams was sitting at his typewriter on a patio of a Southern hotel. It was morning. A tall, mysterious blonde woman was sipping a drink and fighting with him. The woman began flirting with a Youngman who was below by the swimming pool.
"It became clear when I attempted to write subsequent scenes that I needed to ground the play into more realistic details of Tennessee Williams' life, so the Southern hotel became a New York City hotel room in 1972. I saturated myself in biographical information and the conflict of the male/female parts of Tennessee Williams. I concentrated on the emotions of the characters, and discovered the areas where my personal experiences merged with episodes of Williams' life."
Tennessee in the Summer received its debut in the spring of 1985 in the Valencia Rose Cabaret Room in San Francisco, CA. Other members of the creative team include set designer Lacey Anzelc, lighting designer Paige Selene Luke, sound designer Richard Montes, costume designer Liezzett Jauregui and stage managers Rayford Sewell and Mason Moore.
Janice Allen and Jade Puga of Sal Romeo ETC produce with Marc Haupert and Kurt Swanson of SST Productions as co-producers.
Sidewalk Studio Theatre is located at 4150 Riverside Drive in Burbank, CA. For tickets, call (800) 838-3006 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com. For more information, call (818) 558-5702 or visit www.sidewalkstudiotheatre.info.
