Tennessee Williams’ The Night of the Iguana has attracted actors since its debut in 1961 when its cast included Bette Davis; a film version starred Richard Burton, Ava Gardner and Deborah Kerr. New Edgecliff Theatre, which has had great luck for two previous seasons reviving classic works, has launched its 13th season with this play, sometimes called Williams’ “last great work,” with two local professionals in its leading female roles. NET has given it a strong visual production (designed by Melissa Bennett), set in a seedy Mexican hotel (it actually rains to end Act I).
Each central character in Williams’ “passion play” is at the end of his or her rope: The central character is Rev. Lawrence Shannon, an unstable, discredited minister (Nathan Neorr) now working as a bus tour guide. Maxine (Kate Wilford), recently widowed, runs the hotel. Shannon talks her into giving a room to Hannah (Annie Fitzpatrick), a withdrawn but cultivated woman, and her 97-year-old grandfather (Robert Allen), a poet, as they try to cover their expenses by selling her sketches and paintings.
The Night of the Iguana, presented by New Edgecliff Theatre, continues through Oct. 23 at Columbia Performance Center in Columbia-Tusculum. Go here to read Rick Pender's full review and to get showtimes and theater details.
