Reimagining Tennessee Williams: La Femme Theatre Productions Takes on Camino Real

Reimagining Tennessee Williams: La Femme Theatre Productions Takes on Camino Real

(Article originally posted on Medium.)

As La Femme Theatre Productions prepares to present an industry presentation of Tennessee Williams’s Camino Real, the company continues its tradition of bringing nuanced, socially relevant works to the stage. Known for its dedication to exploring and elevating the female experience in theatre, La Femme embarks on one of Williams’s most ambitious plays, offering audiences a bold reimagining that connects the playwright’s timeless themes to the complexities of contemporary life. In this special Q&A, Executive Director Jean Lichty shares insights into the company’s decision to tackle this rarely produced masterpiece, the unique lens they bring to the production, and their hopes for its impact on audiences and the wider theatre community.

Q&A with Jean Lichty, Executive Director of La Femme Theatre Productions

Q: Can you tell us about the decision to present Tennessee Williams’s Camino Real? What drew La Femme Theatre Productions to this particular play?

A: The La Femme board decided in February of 2024, right after the closing of its Off-Broadway production of The Night of the Iguana, that it wanted to render one of Tennessee’s most challenging and daunting albeit brilliant plays, Camino Real. Moreover, we at La Femme believe that the play has tremendous current socio-political relevance.

Q: For those unfamiliar with Camino Real, could you briefly describe what the play is about and what themes it explores?

A: Extraordinarily prescient, Camino Real is a bold tragicomedy that explores the mystery of human existence and its inevitable mortality while living under a brutally oppressive regime. Tennessee has created a kaleidoscopic fever dream that examines humanity in extremis, throwing the legendary characters Casanova, Camille, Kilroy, and Esmeralda into a cauldron of hot despair, and then has them, on the cusp of survival, learn to love — and finally live.

Q: La Femme Theatre Productions focuses on promoting women in theatre. How does Camino Real align with or contribute to La Femme’s mission?

A: La Femme’s mission is to explore and celebrate the female experience while also providing significant female roles primarily through the lens of the American canon. Camino Real, penned by arguably America’s finest playwright, explores the female sex by exploding gender tropes and thereby empowering its female characters in unusual and inventive ways. Accordingly, the female characters in Camino Real accelerate and provoke change throughout the play. And Tennessee’s women are always deeply complex and compelling.

Q: What unique perspective or interpretation does La Femme Theatre Productions bring to Camino Real that audiences might find refreshing or different from other productions?

A: Although we are fully committed to being faithful to Tennessee’s text by not abridging it, we have also cast the 39 characters in such a way that it reflects the diversity and pluralism of contemporary America.

Q: In your opinion, what makes Camino Real relevant for today’s audiences? How does its message resonate in the current cultural and social context?

A: In Camino Real, Tennessee, depicts a society where artists are confronted by oppression and repression. He introduces legendary characters who must fight to maintain their artistry and individuality. Unfortunately, this sort of repression could be upon us in 2025.

Q: Could you share any challenges or exciting aspects of bringing Camino Real to the stage with La Femme Theatre Productions?

A: The cast involves 39 characters, some of whom are legendary, which makes for a very fun ride. There are a myriad of fascinating aspects to Camino Real, including the surreal, spiritual, mystical, philosophical, psychological, and sociopolitical. And also, the play is a hoot, manifesting Tennessee’s acute sense of humor.

Q: How has the journey so far in preparing for this production been?

A: With the magnitude of the play, this journey has required a different level of involvement. So, a certain amount of exhaustion has set in, along with a great deal of exhilaration.

Q: Looking ahead, what are your hopes or goals for this production of Camino Real? Are there specific impacts or conversations you hope it will spark within the theatre community or beyond?

A: Because of the size and import of Camino Real, La Femme sees this play on a Broadway stage, specifically an arena such as The Circle in the Square. We also hope to inspire enough producerial support to bring it to London’s West End.