The first time I saw “A Streetcar Named Desire” was so many decades ago I can’t even remember the name of the community theater where I saw the live performance of this classic American play. Nor could I remember too much of what the story was about, despite its Pulitzer Prize iconic status.
Second time around, that’s no longer the case.
Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire,” playing at the Copley Theatre in downtown Aurora through April 21, is in one word – unforgettable.
That likely has a lot to do with the setting of such a powerful play on such an intimate stage. From my front row seat I felt as if if I was a fly on the wall in the modest two-room New Orleans apartment of Stella and Stanley Kowalski, cringing inwardly as accusations and spittle flew with such venom that at times, it left me literally holding my breath.
Though this play made its debut in 1947, “Streetcar” fits the philosophy of the Paramount’s innovative BOLD Series, tackling topics like sexuality, gender roles, mental illness, addiction, domestic violence and even rape.
“Intense.” That’s the word I heard most often from those seated around me.
Which brings me to the second reason this show is hard to forget – the powerful performances from the cast who played Tennessee Williams’ deeply-flawed characters. That’s especially true of Blanche DuBois, the tormented Southern belle played by Amanda Drinkall, a Chicago actress whose credits include stage, film and television – and a dozen productions at Oswego High School, where she graduated in 2003.
Drinkall hits a home run as Blanche. By the time the play was over I’d been through a litany of emotions about this fragile and tragic heroine – annoyance, anger, disgust, pity and finally empathy.
Turns out the actor gives lots of credit for her acting chops to her high school teachers, Dave and Donna Barnes, a husband/wife theater duo of such renown in the Fox Valley that the 550-seat Performing Arts Center at Oswego High School was named in their honor in 2017.
The couple, who directed 99 productions in their 33 years at the high school, are obviously proud of Drinkall, who has been staying at their Oswego home during the drama’s run at the Copley Theatre.
As they are of Drinkall’s classmate and best friend since age 11, Tiffany Topol, who will also star in a Paramount production that begins just days after “Streetcar” closes.
Topol, who performed in every high school show with Drinkall – they even traded off as Snoopy in one production – will perform the titular role in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” that opens April 24 on the big stage at the Paramount across the street from the Copley Theatre.
The two talented BFFs – Topol was Drinkall’s maid of honor in her wedding to fellow actor Gage Wallace a few years ago – found out they had landed these starring roles in downtown Aurora just weeks apart “and rightfully freaked out,” recalled Drinkall.
The women broke the news to their beloved high school drama teachers last fall over dinner when the actors were in Oswego for their 20th class reunion.
“They were both so excited,” Drinkall said.
But the veteran teachers were hardly surprised their two former students are having this kind of success. Dave and Donna Barnes told me Drinkall and Topol always possessed not just the talent but also the strong work ethic that is so critical to survive and thrive in a highly-competitive industry.
Drinkall was in Oswego show choir ensembles – she sings briefly but beautifully in a screened “Streetcar” bathtub scene – but is far more of a dramatic actor who “really feels the literature,” noted Donna Barnes, but does so with a “playfulness” and an honesty that keeps audiences fully engaged.
Topol, on the other hand, who now lives in New York and also sings, dances and plays instruments, was always the lead in Oswego musicals. And she’s more familiar with the Paramount after landing the starring role of “Girl” in its 2018 production of “Once” which garnered her a Jeff Award nomination.
But Dave and Donna Barnes have a long list of other successes — including 2004 Oswego grad Adrian Aguilar who is performing as one of the “Jersey Boys” at the Mercury Theater in Chicago through May 19, and Adam Poss, class of 2001, who is playing a lawyer in “Patriots” on Broadway through June 23.
And that’s just the name of actors in current productions. There are also plenty of the couple’s alumni who have found success as choreographers, directors, riggers, theater managers, drama teachers and coaches. One former student, Ryan Hugh Mackey, even won a Tony as one of the producers of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” which took home the prize for best musical in 2014.
All this success keep Dave and Donna Barnes plenty busy in retirement: The couple not only likes to see as many of their proteges’ performances as possible, they organize other Oswego fans to catch the shows. A group, for example, will watch Drinkall as Blanche on April 20 at the Copley Theatre; another will see Aguilar at the Mercury Theatre on April 13; Topol as Carole King on May 5; and Poss on Broadway on May 23.
Keeping those strong connections is important to the couple. It’s why they also hold annual get-togethers and send out periodic newsletters, said Jim Connon, who has known the couple for years as a member of this tight-knit Oswego theater family.
“Although they are retired, they continue to care deeply about their students … all great teachers do,” Connon added.
Drinkall, who regards the couple as “my second parents,” agreed.
“They have always been so supportive, not only of me. Anyone who has gone through their drama club is their child. There are so many Oswego alum out there in the theater world” who are part of “this amazing incubator.”
The couple appreciate the praise, but insist that watching these “kids” succeed is their great joy, as is witnessing theater explode in downtown Aurora, where the stars are aligning for local talent to also excel.
“Exciting,” is how Dave described it.
“Awesome,” added his wife.
Drinkall is looking forward to seeing her high school mentors in the audience on Saturday as she performs the “most iconic role” so far in her career. Playing Blanche is physically and emotionally tough. But she feels no pressure because Dave and Donna Barnes will “love me no matter how I do.”
And they have taught her well.
“When people find out that Tiffany and I went to school together, and there’s this long list of other (performers) out there, they wonder if there is something in the water in Oswego,” noted Drinkall.
Then she quickly added: “It’s just Dave and Donna.”
dcrosby@tribpub.com
