Casting Hall Productions Presents 'Night of the Iguana'

See Tennessee Williams' dark comedy The Night of the Iguana performed in Upton Hall's Warren Enters Theatre on November 7–9 and 14–16 at 8:00 p.m. and November 9 and 16 at 2:00 p.m.

Theater Department chair and associate professor Donn Youngstrom is directing the Casting Hall production that explores loneliness, despair, and redemption as experienced by a group of travelers converging upon a Costa Verde hotel in 1940. Characters include a defrocked minister, a widowed hotel proprietress, and a penniless painter traveling with her poet grandfather.

“All of these people are end of their rope, just trying to make it through another day,” said Youngstrom, who chose the play after seeing it performed recently in New York City and re-reading the text. “There is a fair amount of humor in the play. It should have universal appeal.”

Originally performed on Broadway in 1961 with actors Bette Davis, Margaret Leighton, Patrick O’Neal, Alan Webb, and James Farantino, The Night of the Iguana is considered by many to be the last commercial hit for the prominent playwright who often wove autobiographical nuggets into his plays. This one reflects some of the despair and depression that Williams dealt with later in life.

“In the middle of the play an Iguana is caught,” Youngstrom said. “It’s a metaphor for the characters, each of whom feels trapped. The cast has done a remarkable job with the material.”

Tickets are $15 for the general public; $10 for faculty and staff; and $6 for Buffalo State students. High school students with ID are admitted for free. Order through the Rockwell Hall Box Office, online, or by phone (716) 878-3005.