HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TENNESSEE WILLIAMS
Thomas Lanier Williams, better known as one of our greatest American playwrights, Tennessee Williams, would be 99 if he were with us this coming March 26th.   Like most great talents, he was a man of enormous appetites and passions and lived life to extremes.  His wild and crazy journey found expression in some of the most remarkable plays and poetry of the 20th Century.

Interesting that the "outsider as artist" should be such an American icon--in an age where the conservative right would have you believe that we must all be the same with the same values, the love of Williams work speaks more directly to the American spirit of individualism, free speech, and yes, God forbid, self-criticism.  Williams wrote of those who survived the tide of moral and mental mediocrity, and his characters always chose passion over convention.  Convention was to be mistrusted and questioned thoroughly, for underneath lay hidden violations more cruel than any foibles exhibited by those on the margins of our society.  He championed survivors, those who fought for their belief in life and love even in the face of evidence that proved the world was often a cruel and inhumane place.

Having said THAT mouthful, it is my pleasure to tell you that I will be taking part in a celebration on March 21st in advance of Mr.Williams' upcoming birthday.  (Though not here to celebrate himself, certainly we can do a splendid job for him--it's the least we can do!)

In celebration of his 99th birthday, Blue Roses Productions will present readings of The Lady of Larkspur Lotion, a jewel of a short play by Williams, in addition to four contemporary short pieces by Richard Cottrell, Craig Pospisil, Gary Giovannetti and yours truly – all inspired by Mr. Williams. Conceived and directed by the company’s Artistic Director, Erma Duricko, Blue Roses has been celebrating the birthday of Mr. Williams in New York City for the past ten years. A benefit for Blue Roses, the evening will feature stars Tandy Cronyn, Brandon Victor Dixon, Jeremy Lawrence, Joel Vig and other very special guests. The evening will also feature Tennessee Williams Scholar Annette Saddik along with Blue Roses company members Timothy Brown, Kara Corthron, Marissa Danielle Duricko, Karen Eterovich, Gary Giovannetti, Jennifer Graves, Michael Graves, Heather Lee Harper, Jim Ireland, Sarah Ireland, Donna LaStella, David Ojala, Blair Sams, George Sheffey, Megan Smith, Tom Matthew Wolfe and John Yearley.  Birthday cake and cocktails will be enjoyed at a party to follow the reading.

The benefit is scheduled to take place Sunday, March 21st at 7:30 pm at the St. Clements Parrish Hall, 423 W 46th St, NYC. Tickets for the Blue Roses benefit are available for a suggested donation of $15.00, available at the door or by calling 212-252-4915 for reservations.

(Blue Roses Productions is a national production company dedicated to presenting the works of Tennessee Williams, as well as nurturing and producing works by new American playwrights that champion the human spirit. Blue Roses Productions strives to create an artistic haven where established and emerging artists can challenge themselves while developing their craft.)

Here's hoping you can come and do your part to celebrate the birthday of a most remarkable artist--and do a bit of celebration of yourself as well!