Columbus' Tennessee Williams Tribute hits Massachusetts

Ryan Savage

Reporter

The Tennessee Williams Tribute and Tour of Victorian Homes Volunteer Committee has been invited to bring their talent to Provincetown, Mass. Brenda D. Caradine, committee chair, stated that ten years ago, she received a call from Dr. David Kaplan, explaining that he was beginning his own festival in honor of the playwright's summer trips to Provincetown. This year, the group has been asked to join and perform "Suddenly Last Summer" for the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival.

This is the committee's 14th year to host the Tennessee Williams Tribute Festival. The committee has made it their mission to commemorate the southern hospitality of Tennessee Williams and his birthplace by hosting, presenting and performing the famous literary works from the renowned, local playwright.

Tennessee Williams was born here in Columbus, Miss., to Cornelius Williams and Edwina (Dakin) Williams. Williams spent his early childhood in Clarksdale, Miss., before moving to St. Louis, Mo., where he had his first publishing in magazine called "Weird Tales". Williams' childhood was dysfunctional, which historians believe gave him most of the inspiration for his works. Williams is known for writing classics, such as "The Glass Menagerie," "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."

Graduated students from the W are also taking part in the Tennessee Williams festivals, including the director, Augustin J. Correro.  Alongside him are Dustin Gibson, Set Designer; Mary Wildsmith, Lighting Design; Parker Yarbrough, Props Master; and Kay Manzolillo, Costume Designer. 

"We are trying to include more W grad students in the world of theater here at the TWT," explained Caradine. "We love having grad students want to be a part of our festival."

The production of "Suddenly Last Summer" will be taking place Sept. 6-12 in Rent Auditorium. Prices are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors and military, $5 for regional students and teachers, and free for students and faculty with MUW ID. For more information on the festival, including times for the play, please visit http://www.muw.edu/tennesseewilliams.