Courtesy of Deadline
Tennessee Williams, the famous playwright known for works “The Glass Menagerie” and “A Streetcar Named Desire,” has returned to Broadway with the revival of “The Rose Tattoo.” The play is currently running in the American Airlines Theatre for a limited-time engagement.
“The Rose Tattoo” follows Serafina Delle Rose, a proud Sicilian woman living in Louisiana, as she grieves for her late husband and attempts to move on from the shocking loss. Three years after his death, Serafina keeps herself hidden in her home, completely hung up on her late husband and the enchanting rose tattoo he had on his chest. This all changes when she meets truck driver Alvaro Mangiacavallo, who reignites her passion and lust for life.
In Act I, the stage is set for the whirlwind romance between Serafina and Alvaro. It begins with Serafina telling her friend that she is pregnant with her second child. What should have been a wonderful day for Serafina and her daughter, Rosa, turned into a tragic one when the news came that Serafina’s husband died. Fast-forward to three years later and Serafina has become a hermit, obsessed with praying and talking to her husband’s urn while Rosa, at the age of 15, is graduating high school and ready to become a wife and mother.
After wallowing throughout Act I, Act II begins with Serafina and Alvaro meeting for the first time. Compared to the first act, the second half of the production showed a comedic side of Williams that is rarely seen in his other work. Alvaro, played by Emun Elliott, brought air to the otherwise stale show. Their relationship dynamic is similar to that of a modern-day couple and it is not hard to root for the two as a couple from the moment they first meet.
Serafina is brilliantly played by Marisa Tomei, who successfully brings Williams’s words to life in this modern age. While mostly known for less serious roles (“My Cousin Vinny,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming”), Tomei’s range as an actor truly shines in “The Rose Tattoo.” She is convincing as a grieving, borderline-hysterical widow, while also being charming and free-spirited when falling in love with Alvaro. She brings a new life into the play, which otherwise may have fallen flat with an audience unfamiliar with Broadway productions from over a decade or two ago.
Originally produced in 1951, “The Rose Tattoo” is a far cry from the shows currently on Broadway, most of which are based on already-popular movies. While Williams’ genius can’t be questioned, “The Rose Tattoo” is far from his best work. The entire first act is an extremely slow buildup for what happens in the second act. When comparing the buildup time to the main storyline of the show – Serafina’s relationship with Alvaro – it is disappointing to see the time wasted that could’ve been used to develop their relationship further.
Despite its faults, the show is an enjoyable and unique production that is unlike anything else on Broadway. “The Rose Tattoo” will be closing on Sunday, Dec. 8, so grab your tickets now before it’s too late.
